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-THE = CENTENARY- 

° ° OF THE ° ° 

BATTLE- QF-PLATTSBURG 




SEPTEMBER 
6 -TO- II 



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THEUNIVERSITY 

OFTHE 
SX^TEo^ NEWARK 

-THE STAIE- 
DEPARIMENTor EDUCAHON 

-ALBANY- 




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The Centenary 

of the 

Battle of Plattsburg 



1814 September 11 1914 



At Plattsburg, N. Y. 
September 6 to 11, 1914 



Published under the auspices of the 
State Historian 



Albany 

The University of the State of New York 

1914 



Prefatory 

IT seems fitting and proper that this year the people 
of the Empire State should celebrate the valors of 
the war which gave us peace, particularly those of the 
notable and critical Battle of Plattsburg. That event is 
at once a reminder of a glorious victory and the preface 
ot one hundred years of peace with our transoceanic 
brethren. This publication, issued by direction of the 
President of The University of the State of New York, 
and under the auspices of the Division of History of the 
University, aims to set forth reasons why the State 
should observe this occasion, and how it is to be done. 

Last year the victory of Commodore Perry on the 
Great Lakes was made the occasion of a national, even 
an international, celebration. Important as was this 
victory, it was not more so, nor were its results more 
far-reaching, than that of Macdonough on the green 
waters of Champlain, in 1814. 

It is in order that New York may the better realize 
the import of this battle, and this magnificent victory of 
a few determined Americans, that this celebration has 
been planned and this announcement printed. 

If a greater pride in their heritage, a more patriotic 
spirit, and a more sincere devotion to the memories of 
their historic past shall be aroused in New Yorkers by 
the centenary, and if this booklet shall in any way 
contribute to that result, the Division of History will 
feel its work well done, and be amply compensated for 
the thought, labor and time devoted to this enterprise. 
James A. Holden 

State Historian and 
Chief, Division of History 



Plattsburg Centenary Commission 

Francis Lynde Stetson, Chairman 

15 Broad street, New York City 
Thomas F. Conway, Vice Chairman 

32 Nassau street, New York City 
James A. Foley, Chairman Executive Committee 

261 Broadway, New York City 
LoREN H. White, Treasurer 

Delanson, N. Y. 
Charles J. Vert, Secretary 

Plattsburg N. Y. 
Rev. John P. Chidwick, D. D. 

St Joseph's Seminary, Yonkers, N. Y. 
Salvatore a. Cotillo 

273 Pleasant avenue, New York City 
John Dorst, jr 

Akron, N. Y. 
James A. Emerson 

Warrensburg, N. Y. 
Joseph H. Esquirol 

25 Crooke avenue, Brooklyn, N. Y. 
Alexander W. Fairbank M. D. 

Chazy, N. Y. 
Irving I. Goldsmith 

Saratoga Sprmgs, N. Y. 
John F. Healy 

New Rochelle, N. Y. 
Henry W. Hill 

906 Mutual Life building, Buffalo, N. Y. 
Henry Harmon Noble 

Essex, N. Y. 
Franklin D. Roosevelt, Assistant Secretary of the Navy 

Washington, D. C. 
Henry M. Sage 

Menands, N. Y. 
Frederick E. Wadhams 

37 Tweddle building, Albany, N. Y. 



Howard D. Hadley, Assistant Secretary 
Plattsburg, N. Y. 



M 



The Movement for Centennial Observance 

ARCH 28, 191 2 the State Senate adopted the 
following resolution, offered by Senator Franklin 
D. Roosevelt: 

Resolved (if the Assembly concur), That a committee of four be 
appointed, consisting of two senators, to be appointed by the Pres- 
ident of the Senate, and two members of the Assembly, to be 
appointed by the Speaker of the Assembly, to consider the cele- 
bration of the hundredth anniversary of the Battle of Plattsburg, 
both on land and on Lake Champlain. That such committee report 
to the Legislature on or before the 15th day of January 1913, regard- 
ing suitable plans and arrangements for the celebration and com- 
memoration of said battle. That the actual and necessary expenses 
of said committee in carrying out the provisions of this resolution, 
not exceeding the sum of fifteen hundred dollars, shall be paid from 
the contingent fund of the Legislature on the warrant of the Comp- 
troller and a certificate of the chairman of the committee. 

The Assembly concurring, four members of the Legis- 
lature were appointed, namely, Senators Franklin D. 
Roosevelt and James A. Emerson, Assemblymen Spencer 
G. Prime and Charles J. Vert. March 12, 1913 the 
committee submitted a report (Senate no. 45), in which 
the observance of the hundredth anniversary of the 
battle, as well as the erection of a permanent memorial, 
was suggested, and the creation of a commission recom- 
mended. A bill, introduced by Assemblyman Vert, 
providing for the creation of the Plattsburg Centenary 
Commission, was passed, and received executive approval 
May 24th. The commission was originally composed 
of fifteen members, five citizens appointed by the 
Governor, five senators chosen by the President of the 
Senate, and five assemblymen selected by the Speaker; 
and the object of its creation was " to plan and conduct 
in the month of September 19 14 an appropriate public 
celebration of the centenary of the Battle of Plattsburg, 
to provide for the participation of the State of New York 
therein, including any entertainment, celebration or 

7. 



public function held during such celebration or in con- 
nection therewith." The act carried an appropriation 
of ^5000. 

December 29th a bill was signed by Governor Glynn 
increasing the number of commissioners from fifteen to 
eighteen. April 3, 1914 an act was approved by which 
the commission is empowered, " by itself, or in co- 
operation with the government of the United States, 
to provide for, erect and establish a suitable memorial 
to Thomas Macdonough in the city of Plattsburg, New 
York." The sum of ^125,000 was allowed for the 
erection of such a memorial and for the other purposes 
specified by law. 

Vermont has created a commission, of which the 
Governor of the state is a member, and appropriated 
^4000 for the construction of a permanent memorial; 
and it is the desire of this commission to cooperate 
with the New York commission and the federal authori- 
ties in the celebration of the battle and the erection of 
memorial structures. 

During the year the additional members of the com- 
mission have been named, and the vacancy caused by 
the resignation of Mortimer C. O'Brien, of White Plains, 
was filled by the appointment of Dr Alexander W. 
Fairbank. The personnel of the commission and its 
oflficers as now constituted, will be found elsewhere in 
this pamphlet. The commission will give to the press 
and public details of the final program. 







%1 



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'"^■^ 



The Battle of Plattsburg^ 

BY JAMES AUSTIN HOLDEN 

WITH the possible exception of Lake George, no 
other inland lake in the world has so much 
history attached to it as Champlain, or has been 
the object of so great contention. Adirondacks and 
Iroquois, Dutch and French, English and Americans 
have striven in turn for the mastery and dominion of 
this sheet of water. 

Crown Point and Ticonderoga, Champlain and Jogues, 
Dieskau and Montcalm, Lord Howe and Amherst, 
Rogers the Ranger and St Luc the Partisan, Stark and 
Putnam, Ethan Allen and Benedict Arnold, Philip 
Schuyler and Horatio Gates, St Clair and Burgoyne 
have all added a particular and peculiar luster to the 
story of Champlain, which, like the sunlight playing on 
the burnished surface of a warrior's shield, all but blinds 
the eyes of the historian to the fact that any important 
event could possibly occur elsewhere. 

With the causes which led up to the War of 1 812, with 
the apathy of New England, with the forcing upon New 
York and its great war governor, Daniel D. Tompkins, 
of the necessity of protecting its frontiers and of standing, 
practically alone, the brunt of almost three years of 
fighting, this sketch, in its limited scope, must not 
treat. 

Of Perry's great victory on Lake Erie, whose centenary 
was celebrated last year, of the attempts, successful and 
unsuccessful, of our soldiers and militia in western New- 
York, of the horrors which accompanied the campaigns 
from 1 812 to 1 81 5, of the many interesting incidents, 
traditions and stories which cluster around and are part 



'Extracts from address delivered before the Lake Champlain 
Association of New York City, December 9, 191 3. 



of the annals of those campaigns, of the soldiers and 
men who made and lost reputations for bravery and 
skill during that time, volumes could be written. But 
at this time all this can be treated only as a prelude to 
that dramatic event whose scenes, with the playwright's 
license, we are about to transfer to the mobile platform 
of Lake Champlain. That lake, with its beautiful setting 
of wind-ruffled pines, its broad headlands and rocky 
bluffs, its great, green islands, its down-sloping shores 
and curved arms encircling the deep-tinted waters of the 
bay, whose newly erected fortifications protected the old- 
fashioned houses, of which but seven remain, and the 
straggling clusters of huts and dwellings, formed the 
backdrop of this mighty spectacle. 

If " coming events cast their shadows before," we may 
well wonder what were the visions seen by Judge Zephan- 
iah Piatt, when, in 1784, he came from Dutchess county 
to establish his location of 18,000 acres upon the old 




l//irCapt.qLitfi'. fPfatt OlOaiiMon , 1 i tV 



From a water oolor by Uichbell Smith 

Qu;irtc'rmaster-<.c-ner;irs lic';ul(]iKHters, 1S14' 



12 



De Fredenberg tract of laiid, which had been forfeited 
to the State as a result of the Revolution. After this 
land had been acquired by the thirty-two proprietors, 
including among others the numerous Platts as well as 
Philip Schuyler, Zephaniah Piatt became a sort of 
patroon and with his brothers established the beginnings 
of the future city of Plattsburg, the first town meeting 
being held June i6, 1785, at the house of Judge Charles 
Piatt, the patroon's brother. 

It was undoubtedly farthest from the thoughts of 
that pioneer that his name was to go down in history, 
linked with the title of one of the most successful and 
unique military events which have ever been recorded 
by the annalist. In fact, it may well be questioned 
whether, in any clime or age, there have been recorded 
many really decisive events in which a naval victory, over- 
whelming in its character, has been accompanied almost 
simultaneously by an equally deciding success on land. 

Thus, perhaps, by as wandering and crooked trails 
as those used by the " Romans of the West " to approach 
Lake Champlain, we come to the subject of this paper, 
" The Battle of Plattsburg," or, as it is also called, the 
" Battle of Lake Champlain," or, as Dawson prefers to 
name it, " The Second Invasion of New York." 

Here, in passing, let me say that during the wars in 
which she has been engaged, there must have been a 
special providence appointed to look after our country. 
For none of her battles, either on land or sea, have 
apparently been won by the superior knowledge, skill 
or ability displayed by the committees, officers or 
bureaucrats who have been at the head of military and 
naval affairs during the period of growth and expansion. 
Fortunate indeed, however, has she been in the men who 
have made up the fighting force of her army and navy 
during that period, from general to private from admiral 
to jack tar. 

13 



Some time during the early part of 1814, Sir George 
Prevost, Governor General of Canada, determined to 
invade New York, following the plans originally laid 
out by General Burgoyne in 1777. In July, Governor 
Tompkins issued an order that 13,500 of the militia of 
the State of New York be detached, equipped and held 
in readiness for actual service, prepared to march at a 
moment's notice. From that time on there was more 
or less activity among the militia of the State. It may 
be of passing interest to know that in those far-away 
days, it was the duty of one Washington Irving, lieu- 
tenant colonel and aide-de-camp to the commander-in- 
chief, to issue orders to the quartermasters of the 
various brigades to execute bonds under the direction 
of Samuel Edmunds, principal paymaster of the militia. 

Although the plan of General Prevost was evidently 
known to the inhabitants of New York for several weeks 
previous to the Battle of Plattsburg, both sides being 
well supplied with spies, partisans, traitors and deserters, 
with that blind fatuity which has characterized most of 
our military preparations since the beginning, the then 
secretary of war ordered Major General George Izard to 
the assistance of Major General Jacob Brown on the 
Niagara frontier. In spite of the vigorous protests of 
General Izard, he was forced to leave Plattsburg at the 
head of 4000 troops, going by way of the then new State 
road to the old trail, over Lakes Champlain and George 
and by way of Saratoga and the Mohawk valley to 
Sacketts Harbor, where he arrived about September 15th, 
and did splendid service at that end of the State. He 
left behind, under the command of Brigadier General 
Alexander Macomb, only about 1500 effective men to 
protect the whole Champlain frontier, along with some 
sick and convalescent. 

General Izard's forces had hardly taken up their 
march when couriers came dashing into Plattsburg, 
warning the authorities that General Brisbane, the 

14 




Painted by Samuel L. Waldo, A. N. A., 1S15 

Brigadier General Alexander Macomb 

From an oil painting in the City Hall, New York 




Photo by Mrs. Weaver 

Northeast from Cumberland head 



British com- 
mander, was 
encamped 
with the ad- 
vance guard 
of the enemy 
on the north 
side of the 
Great Chazy; 
and that Sir 
George Pre- 
vost was fol- 
lowing with 
his combined 
force, amount- 
ing to 15,000 

well-disciplined troops. Among these were some of the 
most able veterans and the seasoned continental flower of 
the English army, fresh from their triumphs over Napoleon. 
This was August 31st, and on the same day, it is stated 
by Governor Tompkins, Major General Benjamin Mooers, 
in command of the militia, ordered out the militiamen of 
Clinton, Essex and Franklin counties in a body to resist 
the invasion of the British. Mounted couriers were 
despatched in all directions to alarm and call out the 
militia in the surrounding villages. In anticipation of 
some such movement on the part of the British, the 
volunteers had been holding themselves in readiness, 
and soon Washington and Warren counties, and the 
nearby portion of Saratoga county, were practically 
depopulated of their able-bodied citizens, who were soon 
on their way to Plattsburg. They were speedily followed 
by the men of Montgomery, Schoharie and Rensselaer 
counties. At the same time like situations were develop- 
ing in Vermont. We are told how the old muskets were 
taken from the wall, powder molds made ready, and 
nights spent in heating the lead and casting the bullets 

16 



for the old guns. Governor Chittenden called for 
volunteers, as he could not order his men outside the 
state, and there was a generous response to his summons 
to arms. It is true that some of these militia forces did 
not get nearer Plattsburg than Whitehall, N. Y., Burl- 
ington, Vt., or the shore of the lake. A number of com- 
panies being unable to cross the lake on account of the 
want of transportation facilities, watched the ensuing fight 
as spectators, having shown their patriotism and good will. 

As exhibiting loyalty and devotion to country, if not 
good military sense, it was related that a party of fifty 
from Stowe, Vt., marched all night without rations, 
guns or ammunition, poorly clad and slightly shod, 
through the mud and rain to their rendezvous. The 
following interesting account of their experiences, given 
in Hemenway's " Vermont Gazetteer," is no doubt 
typical of many that relate to that period: 

After ascertaining who was going to cross the lake, 
they drew their rations. The eatable was wheat bread. 
They procured some pork and beef, and a large kettle 
for boiling it; and had but half boiled it, when the drum 
called them to march to the wharf, to be ready for 
crossing. They put their half-cooked meat in bags, and 
some of the men swung them over their shoulders, and 
as they walked, the grease dropped down their backs 
on to their heels. The loaves of bread, which were very 
large, were carried by thrusting a stick through them, 
and shouldering them. On their way to the wharf, they 
drew their guns, which had just been returned from 
Montpelier, where they had been sent for greater safety. 
Friday night, about sundown, as many as could went 
aboard the Watercraft which was to convey them across 
the lake. This craft was an open-top sail boat with 
much the appearance, when viewed from the shore, of a 
common sheep-yard. Up to this time, the men had eaten 
little or nothing that day. When the boat had been 
sailing about two hours, it was be-calmed and began to 
leak. The men were called upon, and to make any 
considerable progress, were obliged to bail and row by 
turns. Saturday morning about daybreak, they reached 
" Ketcham's Landing," in Peru, as they did not choose 
to go direct to Plattsburg. 

17 




Painted by G. Freeman > Photo by Bigelow 

Commodore Thom:is Macdonough 

Presented to Madame Del.ord, and now in M DeLoid mansion, Plattsburg 



Even for some days after the battle, the miUtiamen 
continued to come into Plattsburg in response to the 
call to arms. 

This army of militiamen must have been a weird and 
wonderful sight, fresh from the farms and fields, ignorant 
of tactics, generally unprovided with arms or ammuni- 
tion; such was the force gathered together to oppose the 
splendidly drilled and equipped veterans of the British, 
with their skilled officers. No wonder some of them 
wavered in the first skirmish, although General Macomb 
in his official report stated that " the militia behaved 
with great spirit after the first day, and the volunteers 
of Vermont [under General Samuel Strong] were exceed- 
ingly serviceable." The later precipitate and unreason- 
able panic and flight of the British, however, evened up 
all scores in this respect. 

On account of previous happenings on the lake, to 
Thomas Macdonough, a master commandant and young 
naval officer of promise, had been intrusted the command 
of the naval forces on Lake Champlain, his headquarters 
to be at Plattsburg bay. Within forty days from the 
time the trees had been felled in the forests of Vermont, 
his flagship, the Saratoga, was launched and had been 
armed with her eight long 24's, her eighteen carronades 
and smaller guns. Attached to his fleet were the brig 
Eagle, the schooner Ticonderoga, the sloop Preble, and 
ten galleys or " gunboats." All these vessels, except 
the Eagle, were ready for service by the latter part of 
May. 

Returning for a moment to the land, we find the 
forces of General Prevost in commission, and on the ist 
of September find Brisbane's brigade occupying Odell- 
town, in Quebec, near the border of New York. Two 
days later the British, under Prevost, appeared in force 
before Champlain, General Alexander Macomb's small 
American force retiring from it. The next day an 

19 




Headquarters of General Macomb 
Home of Gen. Benjamin Mooers imtil 1838. Originally of wood, now brick veneer 



advance was made upon Chazy without opposition. On 
the 5th, however, Prevost began to find obstructions 
in the way, trees felled and bridges removed by the order 
of General Macomb, while at Sampson's, eight miles 
from Plattsburg, the general and his troops remained 
until morning. Macomb's 1500 effective men by this 
time had fallen back on Plattsburg and, as they arrived, 
assisted by the New York militia under General Mooers 
and the Vermont volunteers under General Strong, 
about 2500 in all, finally completed their defenses on the 
southern bank of the Saranac. Within a sort of triangle, 
the front and right flanks were covered by the Saranac 
and the lake, and the left by a ravine running from the 
bend of the stream nearly to the lake. Here within the 
triangle had been erected Forts Moreau, Brown and 
Scott, commanded by Colonel Mel. Smith, Lieutenant 
Colonel Storrs and Major Vinson respectively. 



20 




Photo by Mrs Trumbull 



C. Piatt house 



Headquarters of General Robertson, Beekmantown road. Used by British as a 

hospital 

Near the mouth of the Saranac and the lake, a block- 
house and a battery were built, while another block- 
house stood at the south of the ravine, midway between 
the river and the lake. 

On the morning of the 6th, Prevost began his grand 
advance with his 14,000 troops, nearly all, as has been 
stated, seasoned veterans. The fighting really began 
on the 6th, when Major Wool, afterward the heroic 
general of the Mexican War, and some from the regular 
volunteers, began skirmishing on the Beekmantown 
road, where at Ira Howe's house the first encounter was 
had. Then came the affair of Culver's hill, the fearful 
artillery punishment of the British at Halsey's Corners 
by Captain Leonard's battery, the death of Lieutenant 
Colonel Willington, and the first loss of the Americans. 
Of the punishment of the enemy, as the small detach- 
ments of Lieutenant Colonel Appling and Captain Sproul 
fell back to the main body, their riflemen disputing 



every step of the way; of the vigorous defense of the 
lower bridge by Martin J. Aiken's volunteers, all crack 
shots and eager to fight; of the bravery of the British 
regulars at this spot, as with unbroken step they marched 
over their dead and dying, closing up ranks as fast as 
the boys' rifle fire destroyed the formation; of the hold- 
ing of the upper bridge by General Mooers and his 
men, but briefest mention can be made. During that 
day the British lost over two hundred men, while the 
Americans' loss was only forty-five. 

From the 6th to the nth Prevost was busy bringing 
up his artillery, placing his men, and hustling Captain 
Downie with the preparation of the British fleet. 

The exploit of Captain McGlassin, at the head of 
fifty volunteers, in spiking the guns at the rocket battery 
opposite Fort Brown, and in putting to flight, by a 
stratagem, three hundred veteran soldiers, deserves 
more than passing mention, inasmuch as it is said to 
have "greatly annoyed" the British commander-in-chief. 

On the approach of the British, with their light 
dragoons, rocketeers, sappers and miners, chasseurs 
and voltigeurs, their Swiss regiment, light infantry and 
regulars, a truly impressive and terrifying force, the 
comparatively few American troops drew up the planks 
of the bridge, making breastworks, from which they 
disputed the passage of the Saranac. Several attempts 
to cross it were made by the British, but they were 
uniformly defeated. As soon as the battle began on the 
lake, the American forces opened fire, which was returned 
by the batteries and rocketeers of the British, which 
threw hundreds of shells, balls and rockets. In his 
general orders, issued September 14th, General Macomb 
says: "The enemy's fire was returned with eflect from 
our batteries and by sunset we had the satisfaction to 
silence seven batteries which had been erected, and to 
see his column retiring to tlieir camps, beyond the reach 
of our guns." 

22 




1 Judge Levi Piatt, adjutant 8th regiment. Old stone mill m distance 

2 Home of Rev. Frederick Halsey near Halsey's corners 

3 Elm stands near site of Prevost's headquarters on the Thomas Allen far 

4 Marker at Halsey's Corners where heavy fighting took place 



At three different points attempts were made to cross 
the Saranac, but after repeated attacks the EngUsh were 
driven back by the miHtia and volunteers with a con- 
siderable loss in killed, wounded and prisoners. A 
contemporary print stated regarding this affair: " The 
officers of the army from Spain, who have been engaged 
in upper Canada, have acknowledged that they never 
saw such determined charges as was made by the Ameri- 
cans in the late action." 

Of the exciting events of that day, the many acts of 
heroism, offset a bit, we are sorry to say, by some records 
of cowardice ; of the brave acts of Aiken's volunteers, con- 
sisting of schoolboys not old enough to be employed at 
military duty, whose heroic deeds were later, in 1826, 
recognized by Congress by the official gift to each of them 
of a rifle properly inscribed " for their gallantry and 
patriotic services as a volunteer corps, during the siege of 
Plattsburg;" of the splendid support given the New York 
militia by the Vermont volunteers; of the high praise 
accorded the New York militia by Governor Tompkins, in 
his message of September 26th; of the Governor's strong 
protest under date of October 3, 18 14, to Congressman 
Fisk, for the omission in the President's message of praise 
for the New York and Vermont militia for its gallant 
and effective work at Plattsburg; of the scout work done 
by Matthew Standish, who first reported the number of 
the British to General Macomb; of the valorous deeds 
performed by Captain Gilead Sperry's independent com- 
pany of minutemen; of Lem Durkee's famous capture 
of the two, or, as some say, five British soldiers " by 
surrounding them"; of the good work done by other 
men, later prominent in the history of Plattsburg and 
its neighboring counties, but merest mention can be 
made in the limits of this article. 

Baffied by the unexpected resistance he had met from 
a mere handful of regulars and inexperienced militiamen, 
disheartened by the defeat of the naval forces, Prevost 

24 



and his forces returned to their camp and at 2 o'clock 
on the morning of the 12th, precipitately retreated, 
having gone some eight miles before the American generals 
knew the enemy had fled, leaving their sick, wounded, 
baggage and valuable stores of every kind behind. Pur- 
sued by a detachment of the Americans, over 500 
deserters were brought in. The loss of the British, 
never accurately known, was estimated to be about 2500 
in dead, wounded and deserted, while that of the Ameri- 
cans was less than 100. Alison, the European historian, 
says that the loss of the British was not more than five 
or six hundred. The same writer states, regarding 
Prevost's order to retreat, that " such was the indigna- 
tion that this order excited among the British officers 
inured in Spain to a long course of victory, that several 
of them broke their swords, declaring they would never 
serve again, and the army in mournful submission 
leisurely wound its way back to the Canadian frontier." 
Later, Prevost, for his retreat and inadequate attack, 
was ordered to a court martial, but died before the trial 
took place. 

Thus ended the land battle of Plattsburg. 
Meanwhile, the British naval commander. Captain 
George Downie, prodded and driven by Prevost, had 
not been idle in making preparations. At the northerly 
end of the lake a fleet had been prepared, having two 
sloops, the Eagle and the Growler, captured from the 
Americans in a previous skirmish, as its basis. This 
fleet, as finally equipped, consisted of the following: 
the flagship Confiance, the brig Linnet, the Chub, the 
Fiiich and about twelve gunboats, or galleys. 

The naval experts on both sides who have written of 
this engagement, have rather generally admitted that the 
British forces were superior to the American in men 
and armament. Macdonough's official report states 
that the Americans had eighty-six guns and the British 



25 








1^' 




ninety-five, while a contemporary report states the 
number of Americans in the naval fight to have been 
820 and of the British, 1050. Maclay, however, is 
authority for the statement that the Americans had 1904 
pounds of metal as against the British with 1900. Stand- 
ing in to Plattsburg bay September 3d, Commodore Mac- 
donough anchored his ships just outside the range of 
the shore batteries and " a little to the south of the 
outlet " of the river Saranac. The Eagle came first 
with its bow toward Cumberland head on the north, 
then the rest of the squadron in the following order: 
the Saratoga, the Ticonderoga and the Preble, the last 
protected by the shore and Crab island. Between these 
the galleys were placed to the best supporting advantage. 
Springs or hawsers were attached to the anchors in such 
a way that, by hauling or winding them tight, the 
vessels' heads might be turned around. As an additional 
naval aid to this contrivance, kedges or light anchors 
were placed in the proper position, in each bow, " which 
timely precaution," as Cooper says, " gained the victory." 
Lookouts from the British vessels soon discovered the 
formation of the American fleet. Maclay says that " by 
this arrangement not only were the enemy prevented 
from flanking the American lines, but the distance from 
Cumberland head to Crab island was so short that 
Captain Downie could not draw out the full length of 
his line of battle." Leaving Isle La Motte on the morn- 
ing of the fateful nth, just after eight o'clock, the British 
squadron came in sight, the Fi7ich leading, followed 
by the other British boats. At nine o'clock Downie 
anchored at about three hundred yards distance from 
the Americans. The Co7ifiance opposed the Saratoga, 
the Finch the Ticonderoga, some of the enemy's galleys 
the Preble, the Chub and the Linnet the Eagle, while 
the remaining galleys were to give such assistance as 
possible. As a matter of fact, they were of little help 
and soon removed out of harm's way. 

27 




From Bluff point, looking northeast to scene of Macdonough's 
victory 

All things being ready, Captain Macdonough, being a 
devout member of the Episcopal church, called together 
such of his men as were able or cared to do so, to attend 
the reading of the prayers set forth in the Book of Com- 
mon Prayer, " to be said before a fight at sea against 
any enemy." 

According to tradition, the nth broke clear and 
beautiful, an ideal September morning. A gentle breeze 
just rippled the surface of the lake. It was Sunday, 
and a correspondent writes: '' I have often heard the 
old people account for our great victory as owing to the 
prayers offered on our ship by the commanding officer 
and from the fact that ' the British commenced the fight 
on a Sabbath day.' 

My correspondent, relating the story as told her by 
her grandfather, says: " The British fleet rounded 
Cumberland head to find our little fleet waiting in line, 
from where the garrison now stands diagonally out to 
Crab island. The British fired first, and, when our fleet 
returned the fire, the balls seemed to just skip on the 
waters and do the enemy no harm." 

28 



The British came on with cheers, with the British 
ensign proudly floating in the crisp September air, that 
flag which, on the sea especiaUy, had been lowered so 
few times before opposing forces. From a broken hen- 
coop on the American flagship fluttered a patriotic 
rooster, which, flying on a gun slide, crowed lustily and 
clapped his wings, amid the cheers of the sailors on the 
Saratoga, who took this as a harbinger of victory. 

Rising from his devotions, Commodore Macdonough 
sighted the first gun on the Saratoga and fired, raking the 
Confiance fore and aft, the ball entering an open port, 
carrying away the wheel and inflicting considerable 
damage. From then on, the conflict became general, 
and, close as the vessels were, the struggle developed into 
one of the most desperate, bloody and fiercely contested 
of the war. Thrilling incidents were not uncommon. 
Commodore Macdonough was knocked down once by a 
splinter and once by the head of one of the sailors. A 
lieutenant had his feet knocked out from under him by a 
cannon ball striking a chest of ammunition on which he 
was standing, and was again knocked down by the head 
of another sailor. The British commander, Downie, was 
killed early in the engagement by a gun carriage, which, 
forced inward by a ball from the opposing ship, struck 
him so violently as to cause his death. As he started 
from Isle La Motte, he boasted that within ten minutes 
after he met the Saratoga, he would be on board of her; 
in not much more than that time he was dead. Fifty-five 
round shot were placed in the hull of the Saratoga by the 
cannoneers, and one hundred five in the Confia?ice. The 
rigging of every vessel possessed of masts and sails was 
shattered to pieces, so that, as one midshipman stated, 
" one looked like so many bunches of matches and the 
other like so many bunches of rags." 

Benajah Phelps of South Hero, who visited the fleet 
the day after the battle, stated that the Confiance was a 

29 




Photo by Mrs Baker 



The lake from Cliff Haven 



fine ship. " She was made of sohd oak timber sawed 
with a hand saw. . . . The planking was white oak 
and six inches thick. The small balls did not go through 
these planks, they were just stuck solid full of balls that 
looked just like some of the new fashioned houses, plas- 
tered on the outside, where they threw gravel into the 
soft plaster, it seemed as if they couldn't git any more 
balls in. . . . The rigging was all to pieces, there 
wasn't any of it left. Our folks used chain shot. . . . 
They cut the shrouds and everything right off." 

Time and opportunity are lacking to describe this 
naval battle in detail. That has been much better done 
by experts like J. Fenimore Cooper, Henry B. Dawson, 
Admiral Mahan, Ex-president Roosevelt and the able 
historian of the Champlain region, Peter S. Palmer. 
Suffice it to say, it lasted two hours and twenty minutes, 
and was, like every Anglo-Saxon contest on the sea, 
fought to a deadly finish. An English midshipman 
wrote: "The havoc on both sides is dreadful. . 



30 



There is one of our marines who was in the Trafalgar 
action with Lord Nelson, who says it was a flea bite in 
comparison with this." 

Regarding marines, I do not think it is generally 
known that a detachment of marines accompanied the 
American squadron under Captain White Youngs, and 
that on September 13th Captain Macdonough wrote to 
General Macomb commending Youngs and his men and 
praising Youngs for volunteering to carry orders to the 
galleys in a sinking boat, and for supplying the crews 
with his men, as the sailors were disabled. 

At the critical period, when the Saratoga s guns on one 
side had been silenced and the battle was nearly lost to 
the Americans, Commodore Macdonough executed the 
difficult naval maneuver upon which the success of the 
whole battle depended, that of turning the Saratoga 
around by means of the springs and kedges heretofore 
mentioned. The exploit was successfully performed, the 
vessel swung around in spite of the opposition of the 
enemy, and the Saratoga presented practically a new ship 




Photo by Mrs Baker 



to the British, who attempted to do the same thing, but 
failed. This maneuver was the beginning of the end. 
Not long afterward the British struck their colors, and 
the most decisive of the naval events of the War of 
1 812-15 was over. 

It m ust have been a wonderful sight, this battle on the 
lake, and it did not lack for spectators. On North Hero 
the women and children flocked to the south end of the 
island to watch the fight, while on Grand isle, all who 
could find boats crossed the lake to Cumberland head to 
obtain a closer view, while the rest gathered on the west 
shore as onlookers of the engagement. 

It is to be regretted that neither photography nor 
moving pictures had been invented in that day and gen- 
eration. For, in spite of the large number who witnessed 
the fight, but few statements of eye witnesses have come 
down to us, and no sketches or pictures of any sort, if we 
except that purely imaginative one, the magnificent 
painting which hangs in the study of Smith M. Weed 
of Plattsburg. 

My correspondent, heretofore referred to, says: " But 
very little seems to have been written down in regard to 
the events of that day. Perhaps the people living here 
thought they knew all they wanted to of such a battle 
and did not need to write about such an event." 

It has been stated that nearly every person in the 
American or British fleet suffered an injury of some sort. 
After the battle Macdonough stood away to Crab island, 
where an anchorage was secured, and the dead of both 
fleets, wrapped only in blankets or not at all, were buried 
face downward, in a common grave. 

It was at this time that Simeon Doty, then a youngster, 
visited Crab island and saw the dismembered limbs and 
other disjecta membra of the human body, with human 
entrails, which had been thrown overboard during the 
engagement, floating into the shore at the landing. Of 

32 



the engagement, the following description of Hon. J. C. 
Hubbell, of Chazy, as printed in the Plattshurg Repub- 
lican, February i, 1879, "^^Y be of interest: 

Macdonough's fleet was anchored between Cumberland 
head and Crab island, a little inside, and the British fleet 
bore down upon them, under a good northerly breeze. 
The British guns had much the longest range, but, 
strangely enough, they came within easy range of our 
guns, instead of keeping off farther out of reach and 
using their advantage. This was perhaps owing to a 
miscalculation on the wind, but anyhow it seemed 
providential. 

Soon the firing commenced. I can not begin to 
describe that scene. I was near the point of the head, 
on the west shore, and had a perfect view of the whole 
battle. The firing was terrific, fairly shaking the ground, 
and so rapid that it seemed to be one continuous roar, 
intermingled with spiteful flashing from the mouths of 
the guns, and dense clouds of smoke soon hung over the 
two fleets. It appeared to me that our guns were dis- 
charged three times to the enemy's once, and a British 
officer afterwards told me that it took twelve men to 
manage each of them. 

I am not going to tell you the story of the battle; 
history has done that already, so that everybody is 
familiar with it. I saw the two midshipmen [Piatt and 
another] go out in their small boat, as it was necessary 
for somebody to do in order to swing the Saratoga around 
so as to bring her fresh broadside to bear upon her enemy, 
the Confiance. It seemed as if that little boat must be 
struck, the shot were flying so thick all about it, and I 
believe it was struck several times, but the Saratoga was 
warped about, and, when that fresh broadside opened, it 
seemed as if she was all on fire. The battle was soon 
decided after that, and the British flags came down one 
after another. 

Several gentlemen from Burlington were on the shore 
where I stood. They had a small canoe, and, after the 
battle was over, they invited Judge Scott and myself to 
go in their boat with them aboard the Saratoga, and we 
did so. I had the pleasure of shaking hands with Com- 
modore Macdonough, whom I had met before, and con- 
gratulating him on the fact that he had escaped 

33 




Photo by Miss Weaver 

Looking north, toward Isle La Motte, where the Britisl 
the night before the battle 



ted 



unharmed. He replied that he was knocked down once 
by a boom which got cut in two by a shot, part of it 
falling upon him; and he showed me the place where he 
stood only a moment before a 20-pound shot swept 
across the deck over the very spot and buried itself in 
the mast. 

The dead were all packed up in order here, and the 
decks were cleaned up, but the seams full of blood, and 
the torn hull, masts and spars told the story of the fearful 
struggle. 

L rom the Saratoga we went aboard the British flagship, 
the Confiance, and here was a horrible sight. The vessel 
was absolutely torn to pieces; the decks were strewed 
with mutilated bodies lying in all directions, and every- 
thing was covered with blood. It was the most fearful 
sight I ever beheld or ever expect to, and one I shall 
never forget. One poor fellow whom I had seen before — 
a pilot named Brown — lay groaning on the deck, his 
head swathed up with a bloody shirt. He recognized 
me, but, when I returned to him a few moments after- 
wards, he was dead. I went below and saw the body of 
Commodore Downie lying in his stateroom. He was a 
large, fair-looking man, and the surgeons could find no 
mark upon him, but on examination concluded that he 
must have been killed by a spent shot. 

34 



A 

■K 

1 




ft,-' '*•■■■ 


r 

1 



Road at south end of Cumberland head 



On boarding the Confiance later, a furnace for heating 
cannon balls, some of which had set the Saratoga on fire 
several times during the battle, was found in full opera- 
tion. So little had naval science advanced in 1862, 
according to a very recent magazine article, that such a 
device was used on the Merrhnac in its historic duel with 
the Monitor. 

With his characteristic modesty. Commodore Mac- 
donough announced the results of the most important of 
the struggles of the war in a brief note to the secretary 
of the navy, Hon. W. Jones, under date of September 11, 
1814 in these words: "Sir — The Almighty has been 
pleased to grant us a signal victory on Lake Champlain, 
in the capture of one frigate, one brig, and two sloops of 
war of the enemy." 

The results of the battle were at once reassuring and 
heartening to a people which had become thoroughly 
discouraged by the conduct of the war up to that time. 
It has been said by someone, that, if any event were 
ever entitled to be called decisive, this was one of them. 
Macdonough was promoted to post captain, and public 
dinners were given to him and Macomb with their 

35 




official staffs, at Plattsburg 
on September 23d, and at 
Burlington on September 
26th. Large grants of land 
were later given to Mac- 
donough by New York State 
and Vermont, the latter on 
Cumberland head, making 
him for that day a compara- 
tively well-to-do man. The 
State of New York, by 
official legislative action, 
and through its governor 
and commander-in-chief, 
Daniel D. Tompkins, pre- 
sented to Captain Mac- 
donough and Generals Ma- 
comb, Benjamin Mooers and 
Samuel Strong of Vermont, 
handsome swords as tro- 
phies and memorials of their 
valor and services. The city 
of New York, by its com- 
mon council, unanimously 
resolved to present to Mac- 
donough the freedom of the 
city in a gold box, and 
Albany did the same; while 
New York and Delaware 
requested his portrait for their official picture galleries. 
Congress also gave Macdonough the usual fine gold 
medal, the same official reward being given Lieutenants 
Robert Henley and Stephen Cassin, who were made 
master commandants by promotion. 

Delaware, his native state, gave him a costly sword 
and silver service; Connecticut, a pair of gold-mounted 
pistols; and Lansingburg, N. Y., a silver pitcher and 

36 



Sword piesenrfd to Cicneral 
Macomb by State of New York 




Photo by Miss Weaver 

Where the tide of battle ebbed and flowed 



goblets. Macomb received honors from Belleville in 
New Jersey and also a congressional gold medal, 
while Detroit gave him a silver tankard. In fact nearly 
all the prominent officers in the battle were recipients of 
favors of one sort or another. 

A hundred fateful years have passed since the Battle 
of Plattsburg practically decided the fate of a struggling 
nation, and won for it the respect, if not the friendship, 
of strong and arrogant European countries. 

Since then numberless gallons of water have run from 
the outlet to the sea, uniting as with a shimmering 
ribbon of green and sunlit waves, the mighty Dominion 
of the north and the mightier Republic of the south, in 
the bonds of peace and amity. 

In ruins lie the fortifications of Ticonderoga and 
Crown Point, defenseless are the lakes and river bound- 
aries, while no heavy-armed war craft plow their waters. 
The last battle on Champlain is but a dream today, its 
heroes gone, its warriors all but forgotten. Its story is 
valuable mostly as a warning to present and future 

37 



generations, that war, no matter how necessary to main- 
tain our national honor and integrity, can never, however 
successful it may be, bring back to life our dead, comfort 
the widows and orphans, restore the property lost, or 
add one iota to the moral uplift of the race and its final 
regeneration. 

It is little more than a quarter of a century since, from 
his deathbed of pain and agony, the great commander 
of a great war, Ulysses S. Grant, the first of our military 
apostles of peace, sent forth from the pine-crowned 
summit of Mount McGregor, rising rugged and sublime 
from shores washed by the turbid waters of the upper 
Hudson, this message, which is not unapropos in connec- 
tion with the period we are treating: " The war has 
made us a nation of great power and intelligence. We 
have but little to do to preserve peace, happiness and 
prosperity at home, and the respect of other nations. 
Our experience ought to teach us the necessity of the 
first; our power secures the last." 




-38 



Siege of Plattsburgh 

Tune — Boyne Jl'ater 

Backside Albany stan' Lake Champlain, 

Little pond half full o' water; 
Plat-te-burg dar too, close 'pon de main; 

Town small — he grow bigger, do', herearter. 
On Lake Champlain Uncle Sam set he boat, 

An' Massa Macdonough he sail 'em; 
While Gineral Macomb make Plat-te-burg he home 

Wid de arm}-, whose courage nebber fail 'em. 

On 'lebenth day Sep-tem-ber, 

In eighteen hun'red and fourteen, 
Gubbernor Probose and the British soj-er 

Come to Plat-te-burg a tea-party courtin'; 
An' he boat come too, arter Uncle Sam boat. 

Massa 'Donough, he look sharp out de winder; 
Den Gineral Macomb (ah! he always a-home) 

Cotch fire too, sirs, like a tinder. 

Bang! bang! bang! den de cannons 'gin to roar, 

In Plat-te-burg and all 'bout dat quarter; 
Gubbernor Probose try he ban' 'pon de shore, 

While he boat take he luck 'pon de water; 
But Massa Macdonough knock he boat in he head, 

Break he heart, break he shin, 'tove he cafF in, 
An' Gineral Macomb start ole Probose home — 

To't me soul den I muss die a laffin'. 

Probose scare so he lef all behine. 

Powder, ball, cannon, tea-pot, an' kittle; 
Some say he cotch a cole — trouble in he mine 

'Cause he eat so much raw an' cole vittle. 
Uncle Sam berry sorry, to be sure, for he pain 

Wish he nuss herself up well an' hearty. 
For Gineral Macomb and Massa 'Donough home 

When he notion for anudder tea-party. 

The victories of Macdonough and Macomb were the subject of one of the most 
popular songs written and sung during the war. It was written by Micajah Hawk ns 
for the proprietor of a theater in Albany, and sung by him in the character of a 
negro sailor. Governor Tompkins was present when it was first sung. Hawkins gained 
great applause and a prize by his performance. He was afterward a grocer in 
Catharine street, New York. 

Lossing's Pictorial Field Book of the War of 1812. 
39 




Photo by Mrs Trumbull 



Walworth homestead. Broad street 



A rocket battery was stationed on site in rear of this house, and in its yard Aiken's 
company was formed by academy boys 




Photo by Mrs Trumbull 

Home of Dr Benjamin J, Mooers, a surgeon in the battle 
40 



Biographical Sketches 

SIR GEORGE PREVOST 

Sir George Prevost, a son of Major General Augustine 
Prevost, who saw service in the French war and the 
Revohition, was born in New York City May 19, 1767- 
Entering the army, he became a captain in 1783, and in 
1790 was made major in the 60th (Royal American) 
foot and went with his regiment to the West Indies, 
where he was wounded twice in an engagement in St 
Vincent. In 1798 he rose to the rank of brigadier 
general, being named the same year military governor of 
St Lucia. Three years later the office of civil governor 
was conferred on him in answer to a petition of the 
people of that island; and the year following he was 
appointed captain general and governor-in-chief of Dom- 
inica. He participated in campaigns in St Lucia and 
Dominica, returning to England in 1805, when he was 
given command of the Portsmouth district and was 
honored with a baronetcy. He took part in the capture 
of Martinique and attained the rank of lieutenant general. 
Manifest fitness for civil office led to the selection of 
Prevost in 1808 for lieutenant governor and commander- 
in-chief of Nova Scotia, and three years afterward to his 
appointment as governor general of British North 
America. 

His course during the war with the United States was 
judicious in the main, since it was generally confined to 
defensive measures and to exertions for maintaining 
colonial loyalty to the ^British connection. The offensive 
campaigning in which he participated had results less 
happy. The attack on Sacketts Harbor in May 181 3 
yielded hardly more satisfaction than the operations 
which collapsed at Plattsburg. At Sacketts Harbor a 
strong body>f British regulars, sustained by volunteers 
and Indians, and a respectable squadron, were beaten 

41 



by a small garrison of regular troops, having the brief 
and wavering support of militia. After the repulse 
which he suffered on the Saranac, Prevost was evidently 
fearful that he would meet a fate like that of Burgoyne. 
Tidings of militia reinforcements hastening to the assist- 
ance of Macomb came to his ears, and these reports, it 
is said, were much exaggerated by a Yankee device, with 
the effect of exciting his worst apprehensions and causing 
his hurried retreat. The censures which fell heavy on 
Prevost after this disaster pursued him to the end of his 
career. In the Canadian assembly, on the conclusion of 
peace, a bill to present him with a service of plate '' in 
testimony of the country's sense of his distinguished 
talents, wisdom and ability " was approved, but the 
council withheld assent. He was called to England to 
answer charges springing out of the Plattsburg expedi- 
tion; and died a week before the meeting of a court 
martial which was to try him, a victim to anxiety over 
the position in which he was placed. 

GEORGE DOWNIE 

George Downie was born in the county of Ross, Ire- 
land, and was the son of a clergyman. Entering the 
British navy as a midshipman, he served in the action 
off Camperdown. For several years he saw service in 
the West Indies, where he was promoted to a lieutenancy; 
and in 1804, while lieutenant of the frigate Sea-horse, in 
the Mediterranean, he took charge of a six-oared cutter 
and performed the exploit of capturing a Spanish convoy, 
laden with stores, which had the protection of a battery, 
two armed schooners and other boats. The following 
year the Sea-horse vanquished a squadron of Turkish 
ships, and Downie enjoyed the honor of taking a captured 
frigate to Malta. Advancement to the rank of master 
and commander immediately followed his service in this 
battle. Appointed to the command of a sloop of war, 

42 



^^^^?l^^^f#^^#gfc?ia#^^^^M( ^ 



m 



m 
m 
m 



m 
Si 

P 

m 



BACK SIDE AI.BANY 




AMB JACK OF GUINEA 



Battle of Piat-^e-bus 

■J- .A!bii-,y -1 m' T,»k.: CKimpliun, 






i 



® 



F^ 



SI 






JK 



'rM^;^^;':^^^ 



Rare broadside from collection in State Library. See p. 39 

A popular ballad of 1814 



43 



he exerted himself with such effect in opposing priva- 
teers, in the war with the United States, that he attained 
a post captaincy. In April of 1814 Downie joined the 
fleet on Lake Ontario, under Sir James Yeo, by whom 
he was put in command of the Champlain flotilla. 
Downie's qualities as an ofificer were united with engaging 
personal traits, the appreciation of which found early 
expression in the tributes to his fame. Many years 
after his death a marble slab was laid over his grave in 
the Plattsburg burying ground, bearing these words: 
" Sacred to the memory of George Downie, Esq., a post 
captain in the Royal British Navy, who gloriously fell 
on board his B. M. S. the ' Confiance ' while leading the 
vessels under his command to the attack of the American 
flotilla at anchor in Cumberland bay, off Plattsburg, on 
the nth of September 1814. To mark the spot where 
the remains of a gallant officer and sincere friend were 
honorably interred, this stone has been erected by his 
affectionate sister-in-law, Mary Downie, 185 1." 

THOMAS MACDONOUGH 

Thomas Macdonough, born December 23, 1783, was 
a native of New Castle county, Delaware, the son of 
Thomas Macdonough, a physician, who served in the 
War of the Revolution with regimental command and 
held for many years the office of associate judge in the 
court of common pleas. The son enlisted as a mid- 
shipman in the naval service, and was with Commodore 
Decatur in the war with Tripoli, obtaining promotion 
for distinguished conduct in the destruction of the 
Philadelphia. At Gibraltar, while in temporary com- 
mand of the Siren, he showed the spirit which animated 
him by rescuing an impressed sailor from a boat, under 
the guns of the British vessel which had ordered the 
seizure and to which the prisoner was being conveyed. 
In 1 813 Macdonough was made master commandant, and 
he was sent to Lake Champlain to command the flotilla 

44 



with which it was designed to defend the mast ery of the 
lake. He spent the winter at Vergennes, employed in 
strengthening his fleet, which lay in Otter creek. In the 
following May an attack was made by the enemy on 
the battery erected at the mouth of the creek for the 
protection of his vessels, but was repelled by Mac- 
donough. The close of the war found him in impaired 
health. He continued in the naval service, however, 
and died at sea, November i6, 1825. In this officer 
native intrepidity was mingled with the higher form of 
courage which springs from moral motives and a religious 
sense of duty. 

JOHN ELLIS WOOL 

John Ellis Wool was born February 20, 1784 at New- 
burgh, N. Y., attended school at Troy, engaged in busi- 
ness, studied law and in 181 2 received a commission as 
captain in the 13th United States infantry. For his 
conduct at Queenston he was promoted to the rank of 
major in the 29th regiment; and his behavior at Platts- 
burg brought a lieutenant colonelcy. Transferred to the 
6th regiment after the close of the war, he became 
inspector general with colonel's rank. In 1836 he suc- 
cessfully performed the work of removing the Cherokee 
Indians to the country beyond the Mississippi. Five 
years later he was appointed a brigadier general. In the 
Mexican War he won a high reputation, being brevetted 
major general for gallant and meritorious conduct at 
Buena Vista and receiving a sword of honor by resolu- 
tion of Congress. Swords were also presented by the 
State of New York and citizens of Troy. At the out- 
break of the Civil War, General Wool was at the head 
of the Department of the East, saving Fortress Monroe 
by prompt reinforcement and afterward commanding 
that post. He retired from active service August i, 
1863. His death occurred in Troy November 10, 1869. 
A monument in that city attests public appreciation of 

his services. 

45 




Ihe DeLord house, Cumberkind avenue 
I Old doorway; 2 stairway in house; 3 garden laid out by Major De Russey in 
181Z. The silver was buried in rear garden. 

46 



SAMUEL STRONG 

Samuel Strong was born at Salisbury, Conn., and was 
the second son of John Strong, who removed from Con- 
necticut to Addison, Vt. The son left Addison with his 
family in the winter of 1793-94 and settled at Vergennes, 
where he engaged in farming and lumbering, was inter- 
ested in manufactures and contributed in many ways to 
the development of that region. For some years he was 
president of the Vergennes 
bank. He held the offices of 
alderman, representative, 
assistant judge of the county 
court and mayor, and from 
1804 to 1 8 10 was major 
general of the State militia. 
When Prevost's approach 
was announced, the political 
scruples of the governor of 
Vermont, Martin Chitten- 
den, did not allow him to 
order the militia out of the 
state; consequently he called 
for volunteers to aid in 
checking the invasion. The 
response was quick and en- 
thusiastic. A brigade was 
raised, of which General 
Strong received the com- 
mand. The day before the 
action there were about 
1200 men in his force. 




Phutu by Mrs Trumbull 

A decoration of honor 
Cannon ball lodged in south wall of 
General Mooers' house. This wall was 
originally an exterior one, through which 
the ball crashed after entering the open 
door. 



but on the nth of September the number had been 
swollen to 2500 by the constant arrival of fighting men. 
The exposures of the campaign made the Vermont gen- 
eral an invalid for the remainder of his days. His prop- 
erty in land was extensive, and, at his death in 1833, he 
left a large estate to his son, General Samuel P. Strong. 

47 



ALEXANDER MACOMB 

Alexander Macomb was born in Detroit April 3, 1782, 
and was educated in New Jersey. He was a cornet of 
light dragoons in the United States army in 1799, a 
second lieutenant of infantry in 1801, a lieutenant of 
engineers the following year, and, rising through suc- 
cessive grades, was transferred to a colonelcy in the 
artillery July 6, 181 2, serving in this rank at Niagara 
and Fort George. In January of 18 14 he was promoted 

brigadier general; 
and September 
nth of that year 
earned a brevet 
major generalship 
for distinguished 
and gallant conduct 
at Plattsburg, re- 
ceiving as well the 
thanks of Congress 
and a gold medal. 
Subsequently a col- 
onel of engineers, 
then a major gen- 
eral, Macomb was 
made commander- 
in-chief of the army 
in 1828, a position 
which he held till 
his death in 1841. 
He was interred in 
the Congressional 
burying ground at Washington. General Macomb was 
the author of treatises on courts martial and supervised a 
work on tactics and regulations for the militia. 

BENJAMIN MOOERS 

Benjamin Mooers was born April i, 1758, at Haver- 
hill, Mass. In the War of the Revolution he saw service 




Tankard presented to General Macomb 
by citv of Detroit 




Site of Fort Izard, Cumberland head, showing depth of intrench- 

ments 

at Ticonderoga, and was a lieutenant and adjutant in 
Colonel Moses Hazen's Canadian regiment. Removing 
to Plattsburg, N. Y., after the war, he became a prom- 
inent citizen of Clinton county, which he served as 
sheriff and treasurer. He also filled the following posts: 
assemblyman, State senator, member of council of 
appointment and presidential elector. In the militia he 
rose through long service to the dignity of major general; 
and the responsibilities of this office were his when 
Prevost invaded the State. General Mooers's residence 
was on Cumberland head, where he died in February 1838. 

ROBERT HENLEY 

Robert Henley, who commanded the Eagle in the 
battle of Plattsburg, was born January 5, 1783 in Wil- 
liamsburg, Va. He attended William and Mary College. 
Entering the navy as a midshipman, he saw service with 
Commodore Truxton in the Constellation, and took part 
in the engagement with the French frigate La Vengeance. 
For his behavior in Macdonough's victory he received 
the thanks of Congress and a gold medal. In 1825 he 
was made a captain. Henley died on Sullivan's island, 

S. C, October 7. 1828. 

49 



DANIEL APPLING 

Daniel Appling was born in 1787 in Columbia county, 
Georgia. In 1808 he was a second lieutenant of rifles, 
and in 18 14 a major. His behavior in the brilliant affair 
of Sandy Creek procured promotion; and this was fol- 
lowed by advancement to a colonel's rank for distin- 
guished service at Plattsburg. He died March 5, 1817. 

STEPHEN CASSIN 

Stephen Cassin, son of John Cassin, an American 
naval officer, was born in Philadelphia February 16, 
1783. He entered the navy as a midshipman and was 
promoted lieutenant, having distinguished himself in the 
war with Tripoli. At Plattsburg he commanded the 
Ticonderoga, winning from Congress a vote of thanks 
and a gold medal. His reputation was increased by 
successful undertakings against West India pirates. In 
1825 a captain's commission was conferred on him. He 
died in Georgetown, D. C, August 29, 1857. 




Photo by Miss Weaver 

Cumberland head, near Plattsburg bay 
50 




Guy Dunham house, northeast corner 
Court and Oak streets, now the D(hK1s 
house 



Hiram Walworth house, Broad street 




■'..'ai;.%»a?'^r^iivii^ 



111 



Photo by Mrs Trumbull 

Peter Sailly house, with original brass 
knocker 



Richard S. Mooers house, Cumberland 
head. Quartermaster 8th regiment 



Old Plattsbuig doorways 



The Battle of Plattsburgh Bay 

[September ii, 1814] 

Plattsburgh bay ! Plattsburgh bay ! 
Blue and gold in the dawning ray. 
Crimson under the high noonday 
Jf'ith the reek of the fray I 

It was Thomas Macdonough, as gallant a sailor 
As ever went scurrying over the main; 

And he cried from his deck, // they think V m a quailer, 
And deem they can capture this Lake of Champlain, 
JVe'll show them they're not fighting France, sir, nor Spain! 

So from Cumberland head to the little Crab island 
He scattered his squadron in trim battle-line; 

And when he saw Downie come rounding the highland, 
He knelt him, beseeching for guidance divine. 
Imploring that Heaven would crown his design. 

Then thundered the Eagle her lusty defiance; 

The stout Saratoga aroused with a roar; 
Soon gunboat and galley in hearty alliance 

Their resonant volley of compliments pour; 

And ever Macdonough's the man to the fore! 

And lo, when the fight toward its fiercest was swirling, 
A gamecock released by a splintering ball. 

Flew high in the ratlines, the smoke round him curling. 
And over the din gave his trumpeting call, 
An omen of ultimate triumph to all! 

Then a valianter light touched the powder-grimed faces; 

Then faster the shot seemed to plunge from the gun; 
And we shattered their yards and we sundered their braces, 

And the fume of our cannon — it shrouded the sun; 

Cried Macdonough — 0)ice more, and the battle is won! 

Now, the flag of the haughty Confiance is trailing; 

The Linnet in woe staggers in toward the shore; 
The Finch is a wreck from her keel to her railing; 

The galleys flee fast to the strain of the oar; 

Macdonough! 'tis he is the man to the fore! 

Oh, our main decks were grim and our gun decks were gor\-, 
And many a brave brow was pallid with pam; 



And while some won to death, yet we all won to glory 
Who fought with Macdonough that day on Champlain, 
And humhled her pride who is queen of the main! 

Clinton Scollard, 
In Ballads of Valor and Victory, Fleminn: H. Revell Co.. 1904- 




In the DeLord house 

Old furniture in use at time of battle 




Photo by Mrs Trumb 

Contemporary silver and furniture 
In the Madam DeLord house, Cumberland avenue. The silver set buried in 
garden until after battle. The mahogany sideboard mutilated by i^ntish and door 
replaced w^ith one of cherry 

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Truiii iiiaiiuicript collection in State Library 

Contemporary story of battle 

See' page 56 for transcript 

54 









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From manuscript collection in State Library 

Contemporary story of battle 

See page 56 for transcript 

55 



MCDONOUGH'S VICTORY 

On the morning of the ii. Sep^ 1814 at fifteen m past 8 A. M. 
a royal salute was heard by commodore MRDonough's line which 
lay moored in Plattsburgh bay, announcing the approch of Capt. 
Downie's fleet. [It past Cumberland head at half past eight and at 
fifteen minutes before nine the action commenced.\ The British fleet 
consisted of the ship Confiance, of 39 guns — 29 long 24 pounders 
and 10 32 p. Carronades Brig Linnet — of 16 long 12 pounders — 
sloops Chub and the Finch of 12 guns each besides 14 row gallies. — 

The American fleet was composed of the Ship Saratoga — brig 
Eagle, schooner Ticonderoga, and sloop Preble, & 10 row gallies. — 
The action commenced at fifteen mmutes before nine o'clock and 
ceased 20 minutes past 11 A. M. — one hour and 20 minutes close 
action. The brig Eagle sustained the fire of the Confiance until 
that ship came within shot of the Saratoga's carronades, she then 
engaged the enemy's brig the Linnet. One hour after the action 
the ship Confiance struck her flag, and therefore the Saratoga turned 
her shot against the Linnet, but to the astonishment of Com. M*^- 
Donough it was again hoisted. The cables of the commodore's 
ship being then cut she wore round on her spring, her larbord side 
engaging the enemy — as the guns of the starbord side were nearly 
all rendered unfit for service from the heavy fire of the enemv. 
Even then by the loss of men, the guns could not be sufiiciently 
manned until Cap' Youngs placed his marines to them, who himself 
took command of a long 24 which was soon afterwards dismounted — 
he afterwards, with only four of his men, turned to a 32 pound 
carronade, which besides attending to the orders of the commodore, 
he attended to during the action. 

After the enemy's ship struck the second time. Captain Youngs 
was ordered on board; (no other of the enemy ceased firing) and 
brought her commanding officer to the commodore. 

In the coarse of the action Midshipman Piatt, who was conveying 
orders to a part of the fleet in an open boat, with his whole crew 
sunk, by an eighteen pound shot from the enemy. However, they 
were picked up afterwards clinging to the wreck. 

A shot afterwards carryed away the spanker boom from over 
Com. M5' Donough's head as he w\as stooping to sight a gun — and 
the same shot mortally wounded M": Barron, the pilot of the ship, 
who was standing behind him. 

After the action, Com. Macdonough exclaimed " I thank the 
Almighty for this victory." — 

The enemy's sloop the Finch, in nearing Crabb Island, was engaged 
by the land battery, constructed there, which done very great 
execution. Threw her on a shoal and made her strike her flag, 
besides keeping the gunboats off, which were bearing down in that 
direction. This land battery contributed much to the success of 
the fleet.— 



1 Words in italics ami iiicIoM d in liracktts are erased in original inanuscri]) 

>;6 



Political Conditions in America and Europe 



BY RICHARD E. DAY 



THE view that America engaged in " the second war 
for independence " in order to vindicate the pohcy 
of international neutrahty commended in the fare- 
well address of Washington wants completeness; but the 
influence of Washington's warning can be traced in the 
events preceding that war. A war for independence it 
was, but the American idea of independence included the 
liberty of the young republic to pursue its way outside 
the circle of European political interests. It was a war 
for commercial freedom, but the assaults on American 
trade and navigation which engendered it were provoked 
in part by the determination of this country " to steer 
clear of permanent alliances with any portion of the 
foreign world." 

Washington's administration gave an impulse to the 
doctrine that a nation has equal obligations toward 
states with which it is at peace and the right to work out 
its destiny, unmolested by nations with which it has 
sought no quarrel. The rights of citizens of neutral 
powers were presented in the state communications 
which attended the contest of the government with 
Genet and its resistance to the assumptions and encroach- 
ments of England. The value of this early statement in 
the development of principles of neutrality is recognized 
by writers on the law of nations. The Jay treaty, 
belonging to the same period, was intended to arrest 
British trespasses on the rights of a neutral state, as well 
as to settle outstanding difficulties. 

During the administration of President Adams, the 
policy of Washington was confirmed. The Jay treaty 
had keenly offended the French people. The Directory, 
charging that its provisions violated the Franco-American 
treaty of 1778, entered on a course of insult and aggres- 
sion. This state of affairs wasjthe heritage of John 

57 



Adams. The French government could not have selected 
a less suitable person at whom to direct its demands for 
an apology, a loan and a gift of money. The nation of 
which he was the executive head was not more sub- 
missive. Congress and the navy, each in its sphere, 
effectively asserted the purpose of the United States to 
remain detached from the colossal strife into which 
Europe was precipitated by the French Revolution. 

The course of Thomas Jefferson toward the policy of 
noninterference illustrates the potency of the precedent, 
while it furnishes a study in the educating influence of 
responsibility. In 1789 he returned from Europe, sat- 
urated with Gallic ideas; and, when France was launched 
on its career of conflict, he was persuaded that Americans 
were obliged in honor and interest to make common 
cause with their former ally. Early in his first term^ as 
President, so far freed from illusions regarding the nature 
of the objects which France had in view, he professed a 
disposition to accept an offensive alliance with England, 
and employed this threat to weaken the clutch of the 
First Consul on Louisiana. Jefferson was so well satis- 
fied that the exclusion of France from Louisiana was an 
end of vital importance to the West and the South that 
he was willing, for its sake, to sacrifice the shreds of his 
earlier sympathies. But the command of the Mississippi, 
with the imperial territory of which it is the artery, 
passed to the United States without recourse to arms; 
and the nation reverted to the policy of Washington. 

In 1803, after a brief pause in hostilities, England and 
France drew the sword again. Profiting by the injury 
to their trade and merchant marine, American commerce 
sprang to the fore. The awakened jealousy of those 
nations, in union with the passionate conviction of 
Englishmen and Frenchmen that all mankind was bound 
to participate in their tremendous strife, led to flagrant 
interference with American ships, and, on England's 

58 



part, to seizures of sailors. England contended that 
desertions from her navy were encouraged by Americans, 
and that many of her subjects were serving on ships of 
this country. American theories of naturaUzation and 
asylum, then new to the mind of Europe, were to wait a 
long time for general acknowledgment. The offenses in 
question were perhaps resented as much as those haughty 
decrees and orders, issued by the combatants, by which 
each declared the other's ports to be in a state of blockade 
and interdicted trade with its enemy. 

Jefferson had opportunity to terminate the encroach- 
ments of Great Britain and obtain an indirect protection 
of our vessels by entering into engagements with that 
power which the French would have regarded as tanta- 
mount to an alliance. He declined those engagements. 
As his administration began with measures to reduce 
the navy, he was in no position to guard our imperiled 
commerce with American guns. But he was not without 
resources. If foreign trade should be suppressed by act 
of Congress, no exercise of force or diplomacy in its 
behalf would be needful; that is the policy which he 
espoused. By means of the embargo, American ships 
were restrained from leaving port, and a like restriction 
was laid on goods. This form of retaliation might have 
been construed as a hostile proceeding by other countries 
affected, as it involved the withdrawal of privilege and 
intercourse long enjoyed. Unfriendly it seemed to New 
England, whose export and carrying business was sacri- 
ficed. It contained the seeds of sectional disaffection, 
which were to produce a baleful harvest a few years later. 
But it was an expedient for preserving American neu- 
trality, and for that reason might claim some support 
from Washington's policy. Jefferson's successor had a 
more difficult task. Negative war had failed; something 
aggressive must be tried. Under Madison the country 
moved unsteadily toward an appeal to arms. Madison 

59 




Photo by Mrs Baker 



al Woolsev homestead, Cumberland head 



was a constructive thinker, whose share in the federal 
constitution insures him a perpetuity of fame, but a 
master of other powers was required if war was to be 
prevented or waged to a compensating close. He was 
altogether ill-suited to match the craft and dissimulation 
of Bonaparte, whose purpose was to irritate America by 
constant offenses and produce the impression that his 
real inclination was to conciliate her regard. 

It may be asked why the United States fought England 
rather than France, or why we engaged formally in 
hostilities, when the course pursued so effectively in 
1798 was open, namely, to create a capable navy, and 
employ it in repelling attacks on our merchantmen, 
whenever and by whomever made. Did the old enmity 
against the mother country, combined with sympathy 
with the old ally, conceal from the majority of Americans 
the issues of the European contest? Did they conceive 
that Napoleon Bonaparte was the champion or the child 
of their ideas, or that his system of rule from 1804 to 
1 8 14 was anything but a despotism propped with 
bayonets? Many Americans appreciated the character 



60 



of the exertions which England was putting forth to 
" shake the spoiler down." But a statesman of Wash- 
ington's stature was needed to stay the drift of the 
young nation in that crisis; and no such interposition 
was afforded. The final impulse to war was given by 
the partisan and sectional passions against which Wash- 
ington had issued an impressive warning. 

So far as war was undertaken in defense of the carrying 
trade, it was fought for the sake of the New England 
states, the most manifest sufferers from foreign vexation 
and the nonintercourse acts of Congress. But partisan 
advantage entered so visibly into the question of peace 
or war that the chief sentiment which sustained the 
administration was furnished outside of New England, 
the stronghold of Federalism. The Democratic-Repub- 
lican party, while exercising the powers of government, 
had done little to provide an army and had shown a 
fanatical opposition to warships. Furthermore, in its 




Photo by Mrs Trumbul! 



Thorn's tavern at Thorn's Corners 

Much desultory fighting took place in this vicinit\- 

6i 



ardor for war, its opponents detected the old Jeffersonian 
leaven of favor toward the French. In the measure in 
which the Republicans became a war party the Federal- 
ists became a peace party. The assertion of state rights, 
made by Kentucky and Virginia in 1798, was assumed 
by Massachusetts and the neighboring states in 181 2. 
States which were immediately exposed to invasion from 
Canada took the position that the principal business of 
their militia was to protect their own borders, one 
consequence of which was that this business was left to 
them for the most part, another consequence being that 
offensive enterprises were weakened, and measures to 
repel foreign invasion embarrassed. In 1814 a militia 
draft bill in Congress, providing 80,000 troops for the 
defense of the United States, met energetic opposition. 
Even a representative from New York declared that " he 
would not give any supplies to the government for the 
conquest of Canada; but, if our army was withdrawn 
from that country, and the project of conquest relin- 
quished, he would go as far as any gentleman to raise 
men and money for defense." The same representative 
expressed the hope that the people would resist con- 
scription. So far were we then from being a nation! 

In the same spirit, private citizens in the centers of 
capital refused to lend money to the almost bankrupt 
government; subscriptions to its loans were discouraged 
and denounced; and attacks were made on the credit of 
banks which responded to national appeals for support. 

The division of sentiment was widened by the increas- 
ing antipathy of northern men to slavery. The attitude 
of southern men to that institution was changing. It 
had been largely one of deprecation and apology. It 
was being transformed to one of ardent advocacy. In 
1 81 2 the antagonism was sufficiently acute to impress 
itself on national issues, even such as involved the fame 
and integrity of the Union. The communities in which 

62 



slavery was becoming extinct viewed with apprehension 
every movement which tended to enhance the power and 
prestige of the South, and indulged a feeling that a pro- 
nounced victory for America would be essentially a 
slaveholders' triumph. Antislavery men were suspicious 
that influences at Washington were really unfavorable 
to the conquest of Canada, since its annexation would 
add a large free soil territory to the Republic and destroy 
the predominance of the slave states. They pointed to 
the employment of indifferent officers at the head of 
the army as evidence of a purpose to wage a war of mere 
annoyance against the Canadians. 

The disaffection of New England operated strongly to 
induce peace when the commissioners met at Ghent in 
August of 1 8 14. The threat of secession which the slave 
interests held over free soil men for forty years before 
giving it effect, was used in the northeastern division of 
this country to compel a termination of the war. The 
blockade maintained by British ships against Atlantic 
ports had been a source of intense suffering to the mercan- 
tile classes. Expression was finally given to the spirit 
of opposition in the Hartford convention, called by the 
Massachusetts Legislature This assembly was destined 
to an unhappy immortality. Robert Y. Hayne, of 
South Carolina, in his debate with Daniel Webster, 
stigmatized its objects in the following description: " to 
keep back the men and money of New England from the 
service of the Union, and to effect radical changes in 
the government — changes that can never be effected 
without a dissolution of the Union." From the accusa- 
tions and admissions which attended that convention, 
it has been gathered that the Federalist leaders were 
prepared, if they judged it necessary, to propose that the 
federal fabric be dissolved and a northern confederacy 
erected. The immediate effect of their action was 
favorable to the sheathing of the sword. 

63 



The defeat of a powerful invading armament at 
Plattsburg and the repulse of the expedition against 
Baltimore still further disposed the minds of Americans to 
consider peace. These events had given luster to their arms, 
and were accepted as an offset to campaigns which had 
proved fruitless, though eminently marked by successes 

in single actions. 
At this time most 
I )t the domain over- 
run by the enemy 
had been recovered, 
the important excep- 
tion being territory 
between the Penob- 
scot and the St Croix, 
over which a British 
governor had been 
appointed. If the 
a r m y , on w h i c h 
Madison had relied 
for the reduction of 
C a n a d a , had not 
been able to keep 
American soil every- 
where inviolate, the 
navy, from which he 
expected little, had 
achieved a nearly 
unbroken succession 
Britain had pro- 




Photo hy -Mrs Trumbull 

Cellar of Gli\- Dunham house 

Wounded In battle taken in this door. Origin: 



■d in battle taken in this door, 
wide clap boards still in placi 



which 



of victories on the element 
nounced her own. 

The condition of Europe had a pacific influence. The 
abdication of Napoleon and his retirement to Elba 
brought relief to the powers after twenty years of ago- 
nized conflict. The exhausting drain on their energies has 
not been repaired to this day, but is revealed to the 

64 



student of social welfare in public debt, depressing pov- 
erty and lowered standards of physique. England, the 
center of that long resistance to Napoleon — a personal- 
ity grown too mighty for the good of humanity — need- 
ed repose. Content with preserving her colonial empire 
against our armies, convinced by those exhibitions ot 
courage and endurance of which the Battle of Plattsburg 
was a type that this country was practically unconquer- 
able, it was important to her as well as to America to 
turn again to the neglected arts of peace. The right ot 
impressment, inherent in the definition of a subject as 
she framed it, could not then be abandoned; but, with 
the cessation of the European conflict, the necessity for 
its exercise ceased. The orders in council, by which 
American commerce was so grievously harassed, had been 
repealed in 1812. Great Britain's commissioners at 
Ghent put forward some exorbitant requirements, pro- 
viding for a surrender of American territory, British 




Photo by Mrs TrumbuU 

Guy Dunham house, now Dodds house, northeast corner of Oak 
and Court streets 

65 



control of frontier waters and the concession to the 
Indian tribes of inahenable rights in the soil which they 
occupied; but these pretensions were relinquished. 
Happily for the United States, the commission which 
represented it in the negotiations comprised several men 
of superior talent and sagacity. 

For a time a continuance of the war looked probable, 
by reason of a diplomatic deadlock. Englishmen 
believed that an eagerness to aid Napoleon at an import- 
ant juncture had caused the declaration of war by the 
United States; and the time seemed fitting to punish 
American presumption, as well as to restore the prestige 
which Macdonough's victory had impaired. Some mem- 
bers of the ministry at London advised the sending of 
Wellington, with his newly disengaged veterans, across 
the ocean. Why was that step not taken? And why 
was Wellington's counsel adverse to the proposal? An 
influential reason may be found in the aspect of European 
affairs at the close of 1814. At Paris the restored dynasty 
had begun its work of reestablishing much that was 
hateful to a generation of Frenchmen which it did not 
understand. At Vienna the master minds of reaction 
were employed in securing the old order, upbuilding the 
monarchies which the armies of France had prostrated 
and devising means for her humiliation. On an island 
in the Mediterranean, the exiled emperor was watc hing 
the effect on the French people of that course of retro- 
gression and revenge, pursued in enmity to the revolu- 
tion as well as to the empire. What was more than a 
possibility then, his return from Elba and resumption 
of his old place, was to be a fact in three months. Wise 
Englishmen reckoned with this probability and the 
demands which it would lay on the military strength of 
England. There was other business ahead for Welling- 
ton than to unsheathe his sword against Americans. 



66 



That record which " never shall be shamed " was not 
to be heightened or dimmed in the New World, but to be 
clothed with new light at Waterloo. 

The freedom of the United States to refuse alliances 
which are not recommended by its interests was estab- 
lished by the War of 1812. The principles of the first 
national administration touching the rights of neutrals 
were upheld at immense cost, thus attaining to a con- 
sideration by virtue of which they control the practice 
of civilized communities in an ever ascending degree. 
Finally, in vindicating those principles, the young 
republic achieved its independence, never thoroughly 
conceded before by the nation from which it sprang or 
the power with which it was once allied in arms. 




Flioto by^^Mifs Weaver 

Scene of Macdonough's victory in Plattsburg bay. View from 
Cumberland head 



67 



On Board the "Saratoga" 

Tuesday 13th Sept. 1814 

Dear dad — I oft have heard you tell 
How many fought, how many fell, 
And how the foe you drubbed well, 
On the plains of Saratoga. 

It's now my turn with pride to boast. 
We conquered Britain's warlike host; 
On Champlain's lake we rule the roast, 
On board the Saratoga. 

At nine A. M. on Sunday morn 
The mighty foe approached in form, 
And viewed us with contempt and scorn 
On board the Saratoga. 

How frequently I've heard you say. 
That those who fight ought oft to pray: 
Our Commodore did both that day 
On board the Saratoga. 

Then with the Christian's hope we fought 
Nor ought of fear or danger thought, 
But death or victory we sought 
On board the Saratoga. 

The battle rag'd for near three hours. 
When aided by the Almighty powers 
We claim'd the enemy as ours 
On board the Saratoga. 

O had you seen the sore dismay 
Of poor Sir George, who ran away, 
And bitterly he curs'd the day 
He saw the Saratoga. 



68 



Then brave Macomb hung on his rear. 
For our firesides we've naught to fear 
Whilst heroes to their country dear 
Command our forts, our vessels steer; 
Success will still crown their career, 
And Sailor's Rights, and Free Trade's cheer, 
Shall be extended far and near, 
Whilst patriots yet unborn shall hear 
The fame of the Saratoga. 

And now let Saratoga's name 
Be niched in thy temple's fame; 
By land or water be it bless'd, 
By all admired, by all confess'd, 
And while for Gates the harp's unstrung, 
Macdonough's glory shall be sung, 
For he the British Lion stung 
On board the Saratoga. 

Records of the Governor and Council of the State of Vermont. V. 6. 




Photo by Mrs Trumbull 



Historic houses un Broad street 



East of Winchell road over which British marched to upper bridge, (i) Winchel 
house; (2) John Nichols house; (3) Edward Hunter's inn. i and 3 originally wood 
now veneered 

69 




70 



The Valuable Services of the Militia and 
Volunteers 

BY JAMES AUSTIN HOLDEN 

THE services of the militia and the land forces at the 
Battle of Plattsburg have usually been regarded 
and rated by historians as a negligible quantity in 
deciding the result. As a matter of fact, however, the 
land battle of September nth deserves at least honorary 
mention in detailing the results achieved in that splendid 
double victory on land and water. That a handful of 
regulars, supported by undisciplined and poorly armed 
militiamen, not overenthusiastic to get killed, but still 
decidedly patriotic, could hold at bay for several days a 
force three times their number, made up of the seasoned 
and hardened veterans who, under the mighty Duke of 
Wellington, had fought with and conquered the hitherto 
successful armies of Napoleon and France on European 
battlegrounds, would seem in itself to be worthy of 
comment in the standard histories, if not of more serious 
attention by the so-called historians themselves. 

The facts, to restate them for the sake of the 
argument, are about as follows: For some time an 
invasion from the north along the plans of the old 
Burgoyne campaign, had been threatened. Just as the 
time for this was ripe, and spies had advised the Platts- 
burg military authorities of its imminence, the authori- 
ties at Washington, in spite of the protests of the local 
commanding officer and ignoring Governor Tompkins, 
ordered Major General George Izard, with practically 
every effective regular, to proceed from Plattsburg to 
the support of Sacketts Harbor. General Izard and his 
command left Plattsburg August nth, and his going 
was duly reported to General Prevost by the spies of the 
English, who were as thick in the American camp as 
those of the Americans were in the British. 

71 



The plans of the EngUsh commander were rapidly 
brought to a head, and his army of invasion of 14,000 
men was set in motion, to cooperate with the proposed 
naval attack under Captain Downie, referred to else- 
where in this booklet. Brigadier General Alexander 
Macomb, the regular commanding officer in the American 
forces, had in camp only about 2100 officers and men 
able to do duty, about 1400 others being confined in 
the hospitals. Without waiting for any red-tape orders, 
New York's local military representative. Major General 
Benjamin Mooers, at once warned out the militia of 
the neighboring counties, those of Clinton, Essex, Warren, 
Washington and Saratoga being called out en masse. A 
general call for militiamen was also sent throughout the 
eastern and southern parts of the State, so that it is 
stated that for some days after the battle the roads to 
Plattsburg were black with companies and regiments 
marching, in many cases without arms or ammunition 
or equipments, to the scene of the conflict. News 
traveled slowly in those days, and it was some time after 
the victory had been won before it was generally known. 
Our sister state of Vermont responded nobly to the call 
for volunteers, sending of her best and bravest. General 
Samuel Strong with 2500 militiamen, who, according to 
the official papers of the state, did splendid service in 
the face of overwhelming odds. To Major General 
Mooers's call, about 700 of the Essex and Clinton county 
men responded immediately. This gave a total of 
effectives, regulars and volunteers, of about 5300 Ameri- 
cans as against 14,000 British. 

It was the appearance of New York cavalry under 
Captain Sperry with 200 regulars and two field pieces, 
that caused the first pause of the advancing British army 
at Sampson's on the night of September 5th. The next 
day the general British advance began. At the first 
skirmish at Beekmantown, about dawn of that day, the 

72 



militia broke and sped toward Plattsburg, but the regu- 
lars stood firm according to the published accounts. 
The militiamen, however, soon gathered back of a stone 
wall, where a short but severe fight took place, until 
the overwhelming force of the enemy caused the retreat 
of Wool's small force of regulars and the militia. At 
Halsey's Corners, about a mile and a half from Platts- 
burg bridge, at eight o'clock in the morning, occurred 
the third encounter, when Wool's infantry and a small 
body of militia, backed up by Captain Leonard's two 
small pieces of artillery, caused a check and inflicted 
considerable loss on the foe, which finally, charging 
with the bayonet, compelled a hasty retreat of the small 
American forces, who however, saved their big guns for 
future use. Other skirmishes in which considerable loss 
was inflicted on the British occurred during that day. 
It is generally conceded that Aiken's boy volunteers of 
Plattsburg, who were stationed in the old stone mill, 
were principally responsible for preventing the passage 
of the Saranac by the light troops of the British. The 
passage of the upper bridge, which had been destroyed 
and the timbers used for breastworks by General Mooers, 
was ably disputed by these volunteer forces. Great 
efforts were made by the British to force a passage by 
this point, but it is stated that Mooers and his men 
stood so firm that the enemy could not cross the stream 
and therefore were obliged to go into camp. Prevost's 
loss since morning had been over 200 men, while that 
of the Americans did not exceed 45. Skirmishes and 
preparations occupied the intervening time until the 
nth. On that eventful day the engagements on land 
and water began almost at the same time. Amid the 
shriek of shot and shell, the heavy columns of the British 
moved against the small forces of the American volun- 
teers. At the upper bridge every passage was success- 
fully disputed by the militia and regular riflemen and 
pickets. At the upper ford the Clinton and Essex forces, 

73 




Photo by Mrs Trumbull 



Site of Col. Thomas Miller homestead 
Here, side by side with British officers, Mrs Miller watched the tide of battle 

under Major General Mooers and Brigadier General 
Wright, after driving back with considerable loss the 
advancing British, were compelled to retire before the 
superior forces of the latter, but soon rallied and drew up 
in battle array on the higher ground, being supported 
by a part of the artillery and a large detachment of 
Vermont volunteers. Just at this time word was brought 
by a courier, afterwards the famous Chancellor Wal- 
worth of Saratoga Springs, that Macdonough had won 
and the British fleet had surrendered. This practically 
ended the land battle, Prevost retiring in great haste. 
As one historian puts it, " It was a wise determination, 
notwithstanding his number was overwhelming; Prevost 
was really in peril. He might have crushed Macomb 
and captured the post at Plattsburg, but it would have 
been at the expense of many lives without obtaining any 
permanent advantage. The British had lost the lake abso- 
lutely, and without any fair promise of its recovery; and 
the militia of all that region were thoroughly aroused." 

74 




Home of Reuben Hyde Walworth (later Chancellor Walworth) 

Saber marks visible on newel post of stairs. Shot holes found in recent alterations 
in walls, the shot hidden in outer walls 

In this connection, it may be well to quote the follow- 
ing from the History of Washington County, by the late 
William L. Stone, regarding the value of the work of 
the militia at this time; his remarks being based on the 
opinions of the late Dr Austin W. Holden, the historian 
of Queensbury and Warren county, and those of Chancel- 
lor Walworth, whose views on the question had often 
been expressed to Mr Stone, by that capable authority: 

Meanwhile the tidings of the invasion swept like a 
tornado through northern New York. Speaking of the 
manner in which these tidings were received, Johnson 
writes that " the War of 1812 was a dreary, dragging, 
dwindling contest, marked alike by the extreme apathy 
of the people." On the contrary, Dr A. W. Holden, in 
his centennial address — from which I have before 
quoted — says that " the militia promptly responded — 
Washington and Warren counties being almost depopu- 
lated of their male citizens." Of these two somewhat 
contradictory opinions, I am, however (with all due 
deference to Johnson, to whose valuable history of 
Washington county I have constantly given credit) 

75 



inclined to the opinion of Dr Holden. The success of 
the American troops was due, as Dr Holden remarks, 
in a great degree to the boldness, daring and bravery of 
the militia who, in the language of their opponents, 
" did not know enough to run," and who, from " the 
rent and bloody fragments of a signal defeat," gathered 
the laurels of a signal victory. 

In writing history we are all too prone to reason from 
the effect to the cause, and so confirm our preconceived 
opinions, regardless of the facts. In summing up the 
case for the militia at Plattsburg, therefore, that they 
were poorly armed must be admitted, for the official 
reports show it. That they were undisciplined and not 
reliable in battle is also true, as it has been true of every 
militia organization in the history of the country, from 
the beginning until within the last quarter of a century. 
In this connection it may be said that one of the first 
persons to agitate the placing of the militia on a par 
with the regular army was that patriotic, talented, able 
and self-sacrificing officer, one of the greatest of New 
York's great war Governors, Daniel D. Tompkins, who, 
in his official report to the Legislature, under date of 
Albany, September 8, 1814, recommends a plan for placing 
the militia upon the same plane as the regular army as to 
organization, discipline and equipment, and at the same 
time provide for our national defense a standing militia 
army of about 20,000 men. It has taken nearly a cen- 
tury to bring about a realization of Governor Tompkins's 
ideas as to a State militia cooperating with the regular 
army. In view of the fact of the many disabilities 
which attached to militia organizations in those days, 
the dispraise which has been given them does not appear 
to be warranted, and the fact that they fought as well 
as they did, and accomplished as much as they did, 
entitles them to some of the honors which have been 
repeatedly bestowed upon the regulars and the fleet, 
for their share in this action. 

76 



The following taken from an official letter to Governor 
Tompkins, a copy of which was secured before the 
burning of the State Library, and while the Tompkins 
manuscripts were still in existence, gives Major General 
Benjamin Mooers's personal and official opinion of the 
acts performed by the militia at this time. The letter 
is dated Plattsburg, September i6, 1814: 

On the first appearance of the enemy I issued an order 
to call out the militia of Clinton and Essex (40th brigade) 
and soon after of my whole (3d) division. 

Their promptness in turning out both m Clmton and 
Essex entitled both officers and privates with few excep- 
tions to the thanks and gratitude of their country, as 
was likewise the case in every other county and district 
which has been called on. A general spirit of active 
patriotism seems to have pervaded throughout. It was 
particularly conspicuous in the neighboring counties of 
Vermont, whose vicinity enabled them to yield us a 
most prompt and effectual assistance. . . . 

After explaining the disposition of the troops which 
attacked at dawn. General Mooers reports: 

There was a portion of the militia that could not be 
rallied and some of these retired immediately to their 
homes. Some part of the militia behaved on this occa- 
sion as well as since with the greatest gallantry and not 
surpassed in courage and usefulness by the regulars on 

that day. ttt , r u- 

Too much praise can not be given Majr. Wool for his 
cool and intrepid conduct and to the officers and soldiers 
under him. The artillery before mentioned were posted 
about three-fourths of a mile in advance of the Court 
House, though I had sent two expresses to have it moved 
up to our support, nor did it come into action until I 
called on Capt. Leonard, the officer commanding it, and 
earnestly requesting him to move forward to the turn of 
the road with two of his pieces about half a mile in advance 
of where he then lay. He had only an opportunity to 
make three or four discharges from each gun before we 
were obliged to retire through the village. Had he 
advanced as was expected to a place called Culver's 

77 



Hill about five miles out of the village, the enemy could 
not have advanced without a much greater loss. 

The militia retreated over the River Saranac and lined 
the south bank and disputed the passage of the river. 

After this I made my headquarters at Salmon River 
and until the nth there was continual skirmishing with 
the enemy. 
The militia had eight or nine miles on the river to guard. 

The most westerly 
pass is a road run- 
ning north and south 
and a bridge across 
the river which we 
had destroyed. 

The remainder of 
his letter is taken 
up with a description 
of the intervening 
skirmishes and the 
battle of the nth. 
General Mooers goes 
on to say: 

Our militia have 
behaved throughout 
extremely well ex- 
cept on the first day 
and then not so bad 
as Genl. Macomb 
has represented in 
his official account 
which he read to 
me. He there men- 
tions that all of 
the militia fled 




Monument at Culvci's Hi 

ThiL-e miles north of Plattsburi 



upon the first attack notwithstanding the exertions 
of the general and his staff. I wish the militia to have 
its due and no more. The small body of regulars, 230 
under Majr. Wool, could not have sustained an orderly 
retreat and continued fighting before a heavy column of 
the enemy for nearly seven miles had not a considerable 
portion of the militia adhered to the front and flanks of 
the enemy. I am an eye witness that many stood their 

78 



ground as long as it was tenable, and continued their 
fire from behind fences, trees, etc., retarding the enemies 
approach and covering our retreat, some of whom instead 
of running too soon suffered themselves to be turned 
and passed by them and afterwards came in by a circuit- 
ous route. These facts are not only known to me but 
to officers who were in the action. 

General Mooers being in command and on the ground, 
his report should be accepted as first-hand evidence and 
conclusive as to the work of the militia on this occasion. 

Again a private letter from Governor Tompkins to 
Congressman Jonathan Fisk, not only sets forth his 
feelings as to the praise due on this occasion, but forms a 
fitting conclusion to this defense of the Plattsburg 

militia. 

He says, in effect, that, had it not been for the militia 
at Plattsburg and their brave defense of that place and 
its approaches, it would have been in the possession of 
General Prevost, the regular forces being too small in 
number to hold it; the big guns of Prevost's army would 
have been in a position to force the American fleet from 
the land side; northern New York would have been part 
of the spoils of war; and the entire boundary line not 
only of New York State, but possibly of the country at 
large, would have been changed or modified by the terms 
of the treaty of peace. 

Again he says in this letter, written from Albany 
October 3, 18 14, after observing " the pointed neglect of 
Genl. Peter B. Porter and his gallant volunteers in the 
President's Message to Congress": 

In noticing the affair at Plattsburgh, too, the President 
seems carefully to have avoided the mention of New York 
or Vermont Militia. At Baltimore, where all would 
have distinguished themselves had not the enemy 
retired unmolested & safely on board without even 
being observed, the praises of the Militia are trumpeted 
forth But it is said that at Plattsburgh the enemy was 
gallantly repulsed by a force, a part only of which was 

79 




Mrs Tnimhnll 



Headquarters of General De Rottenburg 

Original clapboards showing on side 

regulars. Now it is well known that one column of the 
British army took the Beekmantown road & that this 
column was opposed both in its advance & in its retreat 
by Militia alone, not a regular being opposed to that 
column. The regulars had their strong works to retire 
to & did retire to them upon the advance of the other 
column of the Army; whilst the Militia both in retreat 
& pursuit were exposed in the open field & suffered 
most, as will be seen by the ultimate return of killed 
& wounded of the New York & Vermont Militia & 
Volunteers. It may be said that Macdonough's victory 
caused the retreat of the British land force. Still that 
detracts from the praise due the regulars who were in 
works, more than it does from that due the Militia; 
for the one was exposed to field attack, & pursued the 
enemy in his retreat, & the other was in strong works 
& did not pursue. 

Enclosed is an order of General Brown which shews 
that even the Common Militia of New York assembled in 
haste has behaved gallantly in the late sortie at JErie. 
The storming of strong works by Militia, certainly 
demands unbounded applause. 

Now with the exception of Genl. Brown, the mention 
80 




Photo by Mrs Baker 

Road on Cumberland head, overlooking scene of battle 



of whom could not be avoided because he commanded 
the Army not a New Yorker is praised or even mentioned, 
& with respect to Brown, even, the honor of the mention 
is greatly impaired by couphng subordinate officers 
with him. Nor is the patriotism, Volunteers nor Militia 
of the State mentioned, altho', at the time the President 
penned his message, nearly thirty thousand of the yeo- 
manry of this State were in the service of the United 
States, & without whom two of their armies would 
probably have been lost, & the metropolis of the State 
before this time have been in the possession of the 
enemy. 

I am far from detracting from the services of the gallant 
Generals noticed by the President. It is of the injustice 
done to others by the omission of their names & services 
that I complain. . 

Should the complimentary resolutions introduced into 
Congress exclude Porter & his brave comrades, I am 
satisfied that our Legislature will feel themselves called 
upon to do him justice by recitals & resolutions that 
will give you great men at Washington a Rowland for 
your Oliver. 

8i 



The Governor's official report, as set forth in a special 
message to the Legislature under date of September 27, 
1 8 14, referred to the action of the militia in the follow- 
ing terms: " It is, however, due to the militia of this 
State to acknowledge, that they have repaired to their 
country's standard whenever summoned, with prompt- 
ness and alacrity; that they have cheerfully endured 
the hardships and privations of the camp, and that they 
have generally conducted themselves in action with the 
coolness and bravery of veteran troops." 

After the Battle of Santiago Bay, it is stated that Com- 
modore Schley said to Admiral Sampson: " The victory 
is big enough for us all." So in this Plattsburg 
matter, to observe whose hundredth anniversary this 
great function is being arranged, while laying the well- 
earned bays of victory and the laurels of praise before 
the enshrined memories of the fleet and the regulars, 
engaged at that time, let us also place a few memorials 
on the graves of the New York and Vermont militiamen. 
For it was their services, patriotic work and devotion 
to country, which saved New York and Vermont their 
northern frontiers and made possible the one hundred 
years of peace that have followed. 



K 


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Halsey's Corners 

The fence replaces original stone wall where fight took place 
82 



Suggestions for Exercises in the Schools of the State 

WHILE many of the schools of the State begin their 
work on the Tuesday following Labor day, which 
this year falls on September 7th, others do not 
open until October ist. This precludes the general 
observance of the centenary of the Battle of Plattsburg, 
by the schools as a whole. The following suggestions, 
however, are made with the hope that those schools 
which are in session may take steps to observe the cele- 
bration of this important event, which had such a far- 
reaching influence upon our country's history. Under 
the circumstances, no definite program can be proposed. 
The following hints are suggestive only and are given 
here in order that schools may use the plan, or any part 
of it, as local conditions may permit. 

It is suggested that all exercises be held Friday, 
September nth, either morning or afternoon, as may 
best suit the convenience of the school. 

For the rural and elementary schools it is recommended 
that there be readings of selections taken either from 
this bulletin, or from the Plattsburg Commission's 
pamphlet, " The Battle of Plattsburgh, What Historians 
Say About It." 

The exercises might appropriately be opened by the 
singing of the " Star Spangled Banner," the centennial 
of whose composition by Francis Scott Key, during the 
attack on Fort McHenry, occurs on September 14th of 
the present year. A working bibliography of works 
relating to the Battle of Plattsburg will be found in the 
bulletin and undoubtedly some of these books can be 
found in the school library. Reading of selections 
relating to this period, from any of these works, is also 
recommended. 

As this centenary will also mark the completion of one 
hundred years of peace among the English-speaking 

83 



peoples of the world, it is suggested that the schoolhouses 
be trimmed with the goldenrod, our own State flower, 
and wreaths of maple leaves, Canada's emblem, thus 
symbolizing the unity of feeling and present amity 
existing between the elder daughters of Great Britain. 

Following out the idea of President Finley, that the 
schoolhouse should be the civic and social center of the 
community, if some speaker in each locality could be 
induced to address the school on the topic of the day, it 
would lend additional interest to the celebration. 

It is recommended that all the exercises close with the 
hymn " America," whose air is also that of the national 
anthem of Great Britain, making it especially appropriate 
at this time. 

For the higher grades, academies and high schools, 
practically the same program is recommended with the 
addition of an essay or oration, by some of the older 
pupils, based upon some topic suggested by the bulletin, 
as " The influence exerted by the local victory at Platts- 
burg upon the campaign of 1814." In addition to the 
selection for reading taken from the bulletin, or the one 
issued by the commission, any of the ballads contained 
in this publication may be read; or Kipling's " Reces- 
sional," especially appropriate this year, may be substi- 
tuted, or any other suitable poem or selection which may 
be chosen by the head of the school. There should be 
no difficulty in securing in the larger towns some capable 
local speaker to address the pupils on such an occasion 
as this. 

For those schools in the neighborhood of any of the 
battlegrounds of the War of 181 2-14, pilgrimages to such 
places on this date are advised, in place of the more 
formal gatherings. Such excursions may be arranged as 
will best suit the needs of the school. 

The heads of schools may also arrange their own 
observances of the day, by taking such features as may 

84 



be best suited for their particular locality from the 
" Manual of Patriotism," issued for the schools several 
years ago, or the " Flag Book " published by the Educa- 
tion Department in 1910. 

In fact, so long as there is impressed upon the minds 
of the pupils of this State that this date commemorates 
the birthday of a new freedom for our country and that 
from it came a renaissance of patriotism, a renewal of 
faith in ourselves, and an enlargement of our desires and 
ambitions in the way of higher citizenship, the way and 
manner of its celebration may well be left to the discre- 
tion of those persons intimately intrusted with the 
making of that citizenship which is to come after us. 

In the War of 1812 

Bright as a bit of northern sky 

Lake Champlain's clear waters lie; 

Steel-blue the lake and red the land 

Where autumn red the oak trees stand; 

Where all the countryside's aglow 

With the men of General Sir George Prevost. 

Rough, untaught in martial drill 
Our yeomen had the hunter's skill; 
Their squirrel rifles contest the way — 
Lem Durkee's rifle was hot all day. 

At night with prisoners two he came 

To where our Yankee camp fires flame: 

The captains questioned how 'twas done — 
" How were two thus ta'en by one?" 

Answered up stout farmer Lem, 
" My masters, I surrounded them." 

Francis Sterne Palmer 

The foregoing ballad was taken from an old scrapbook by Miss M. K. Sperry of 
Plattsburg, and furnished to this Department. It was written by Francis Sterne Palmer, 
and originally appeared in Leslie's Weekly, many years ago. It is based on a tradition 
that one Lem. Durkee fell in with a party of five British soldiers and surprised them, 
compelling them to surrender before his leveled musket. Using the old stratagem 
of calling on imaginary comrades in the woods to help him, he marched the soldiers 
into camp as prisoners. On being asked how he had accomplished the feat, he replied, 
" Why, I just surrounded them!" 

85 



The Battle of Lake Champlain 

[September ii, 1814] 

Parading near Saint Peter's flood 
Full fourteen thousand soldiers stood; 
Allied with natives of the wood, 
With frigates, sloops, and galleys near; 
Which southward, now, began to steer; 
Their object was, Ticonderogue. 

Assembled at Missisqui bay 
A feast they held, to hail the day. 
When all should bend to British sway 
From Plattsburgh to Ticonderogue. 

And who could tell, if reaching there 
They might not other laurels share 
And England's flag in triumph bear 
To the capitol, at Albany! 

Sir George advanced, with fire and sword, 
The frigates were with vengeance stored, 
The strength of Mars was felt on board, 
When Downie gave the dreadful word. 
Huzza! for death or victory! 

Sir George beheld the prize at stake. 
And, with his veterans, made the attack, 
Macomb's brave legions drove them back; 
And England's fleet approached, to meet 
A desperate combat, on the lake. 

From Isle La Motte to Saranac 
With sulphurous clouds the heavens were black; 
We saw advance the Confiance, 
Shall blood and carnage mark her rack, 
To gain dominion on the lake ^ 

Then on our ships she poured her flame. 
And many a tar did kill or maim. 
Who suff"ered for their country's fame, 

Her soil to save, her rights to guard. 



86 



Macdonough, now began his play. 
And soon his seamen heard him say, 
No Saratoga yields, this day, 

To all the force that Britain sends." 



Disperse, my lads, and man the waist. 
Be firm, and to your stations haste, 
And England from Champlain is chased. 
If you behave as you see me!" 

The fire began with awful roar; 
At our first flash the artillery tore. 
From his proud stand, their commodore, 
A presage of the victory. 

The skies were hid in flame and smoke. 
Such thunders from the cannon spoke, 
The contest such an aspect took 
As if all nature went to wreck! 

Amidst his decks, with slaughter strewed, 
Unmoved, the brave Macdonough stood, 
Or waded through a scene of blood, 

At every step that round him streamed: 

He stood amidst Columbia's sons. 
He stood amidst dismounted guns, 
He fought amidst heart-rending groans, 
The tattered sail, the tottering mast. 

Then, round about, his ship he wore. 
And charged his guns with vengeance sore, 
And more than Etna shook the shore — 
The foe confessed the contest vain. 

In vain they fought, in vain they sailed. 
That day; for Britain's fortune failed, 
And their best eff"orts naught availed 
To hold dominion on Champlain. 



So, down their colors to the deck 

The vanquished struck — their ships a wreck 

What dismal tidings for Quebec, 

What news for England and her prince! 

For, in this fleet, from England won, 
A favorite project is undone; 
Her sorrows only are begun — 
And she may want, and very soon, 
Her armies for her own defence. 

Philip Freneau 
In Poems of American Historvvedited by B. E. Stevenson. 




Photo by Mrs Trumbull 



Mess chest and captured silver 

Left bv British officers in DeLord house 















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The locality of the battle 



89 



Reading list 

on 

The Battle of Plattsburg 

Starred titles indicate material specially useful in school work 
*Abbot, Willis John. Battle of Lake Champlain. (In his Naval 

history of the United States. N. Y. Dodd. n. d. p. 454-64.) 

Also in his Blue jackets of 1S12. 
*Adams, Henry. Plattsburg. (In his History of the United 

States. N. Y. Scribner, 1891. 8:91-119) 
Aldrich, Lewis Cass, ed. Plattsburg. (In the History of Franklin 

and Grand Isle counties, Vt. Syracuse, N. Y. Mason, 1891. 

P- 147-53) 

Accounts of the land and sea battles, mainly from reports of. Macdonough and 
Macomb. 

Alison, Archibald. Expedition against Plattsburg in 1814. (In his 
History of Europe from . . . 1789 to . . . 181 5. N. Y. Harper, 

1843. "4V. 4:477-79) 

Though old, has been reprinted and is still one of the most quoted accoimts (from 
English side) of this battle. 
Barnes, James. Battle of Lake Champlain 1814. (In Hitchcock, 

Riplev, ed. Decisive battles of America. N. Y. Harper, 1909. 

P- 173-79) 

Good description of the battle and some biographical notes on Commodore Mac- 
donough. 

Naval action of Plattsburg Bay. (In his Naval actions of 

the War of 1812. N. Y. Harper, 1895. p. 209-16) 

" For uncritical readers who are sufiiciently pleased if the story of the war is patri- 
otically told." Lamed, iji^ 

*Brady, Cyrus Townsend. Macdonough at Lake Champlain. (In 
his Revolutionary fights and fighters: stories of the first five wars 
of the United States from the Revolution to the War of 181 2. 
N. Y. McClure, 1905. p. 258-71) 

Correct in essentials, dramatic, American without being anti-Bntish; particularly 
interesting to young people. 

Christie, Robert Battles of Plattsburg. (In his Military and naval 
operations in the Canadas. Quebec, 1818. p. 201-9) 
One of the most important early Canadian accounts 
*Clark, Byron N. ed. List of pensioners of the War of 1812. Re- 
search Puhlishmg Co. 1904. . 
Contains: 

List of pensioners of War of i<Si2 

Volunteers for Plattsburg from Vermont towns 

Accounts of the battle of Plattsburg; from Northern Sentinel, September i?, 
1814, and Montreal Herald, September 17, 1S14 

Extracts from genera! orders of (General Alexander Macomb at Piatisburg, Sept- 
ember 14, 1814 

Commodore Macdonough's ofHcial reports 

Commodore Macdonouuh's record of the force and loss of the American and 
British lleets 

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Lippincott, ign- P- 189-98) 

Comprehensive account of battle and statement of Us cause and effects 

CorJemoration Of the battle Of Plattsburgh. 26 p. Wash. 1914- 

(6^d cone. 2d sess. Senate report 471} 

'C„":ef cTnt I'ul fn^NUv ^Vk Senator, or Co„,,es.me„. 

.Cooper, James Fenimore. Battle o Lake Ch^rnph.n.ar Gre. 
epochs in American history . . . ^^. by 1^ . W. naise> 

TOT-? TTV 1^ ■ 7Q~8q) 

'! bbr.vi,,»„ of h,s acco„,n ,„ ms,ory 0/ ,/,. ».., of ,k, U,nui S,a„s. 

'::^ 'Phtt:"::,:^ Bav battle, (m Put„a„,-s Magazine^, 3 -.49) 
Crockett Walter Hill. Battle of Pbttsburg. (In his H'story ot 
Lake Champlain. Burlmgton, Vt. Shanley, .909- P-/65-89) 

Co„;!ehen.ve'„a ,„,e,es.,„. acc„.,n< based CM,- on RooseveU s chapter ,n 

d'::;::, He.:; B. Seco„d i„vasio„ of New Votk^ an his Battles 

of the United States by sea and land. N. Y. Johnson, i«5»- 

2:378-89) 

Good account of both battles, identifying local places. H;<=torvof 

Fison Henrv William. Battle of Plattsburg. (In his History ot 
^'the'Unked States of America. N. Y. Review of Reviews Co. 

1905. 5v. 3 ■• 36-38) 

Short but comprehensive and temperate account. 

-^ranlxtv;sh';irfo^r-s:e:^p^rwr;::n^s-^'ea.£a„\, 

1905. p. 314^28) 

A partisan though recent and prominent Canadian account^ 

Hill, Frederic Stanhope. Battle of Lake Champlan In h.s 
Romance of the American navy. N. Y. rutnam, 9 
p. 189-92) 
Brief but comprehensive account. MY 

The Saratoga. (In his Twenty-six historic ships. IN. Y^ 

Putnam, 1903- P- 257-60) 
Interesting though not very full account of the sea battle. 

«15tt^;7KXa V-S It^s^nL^^Uwis!'^ 

.?, ^elYncfdLs of the hatde of Plactshur, no, found in general «-»!-" 

To^hri?raoa=rort-f^r:;.t;'i?r[e^^^^^^^^^^ 

91 



late war between Great Britain and the United States of America. 
Lond. printed for the author, 1818. 2v. 2:207-28, 461-69) 
" In spite of uncouth style and bitterly controversial and biased tone, James still 
remains standard British authority on this subject (War of 1812)." Lamed. Litera- 
ture of American history, iy^6 

Kimball, Miriam Irene. Fleet built. (In her Vermont for young 

Vermonters. N. Y. Appleton, 1909. p. 238-43) 

A textbook but interestingly written with emphasis on some points not usually 
made. 

Johnson, Rossiter. Second invasion of New York. (In his History 
of the War of 1812-15. N. Y. Dodd, 1882. p. 260-67) 

Account of invasion and engagement. 

*Land and naval battles at Plattsburg. (In Records of the gov- 
ernor and council of the state of Vermont; ed. by E. P. Walton. 
Montpelier, State of Vermont, 1878. 8v. 6:516-34, 537-38) 
Official documents on the battles of Plattsburg, including the reports of Macdonough 

and Macomb and correspondence of Governor Chittenden of Vermont; connected 

by brief narrative; with other valuable material in footnotes. 

Lossing, Benson John. Battle of Plattsburg. (In his Empire state. 
Hartford, Conn. Amer. Publishing Co. 1888. p. 427-31) 
Abbreviation of his account in the Pictorial field-book of the War of 1S12. 

* Battle of Plattsburg. (In his Pictorial field-book of the 

War of 1812. N. Y. Harper, 1869. p. 854-84) 

One of the most valuable popular accounts; full, compiled from primary as well as 
secondary sources and from personal visit to Plattsburg, by a recognized historical 
writer; copiously illustrated. An abridgment of this account will be found in Har- 
per's magazine, July 1864, 29:147-57 

Battle of Plattsburg. (In his Story of the United States 



navy for boys. N. Y. Harper, 1881. p. 215-21, 400-2) 
Short but Interesting account of the battle. Appendix includes Siege of Plattsburg 
and Brother Jonathan's Epistle to John Bull. 

Plattsburg, Battles at. (In Lossing, B. J. ed. Harper's 

popular cyclopedia of United States history. N. Y. Harper, 1893. 

2V. 2: 1 106-8) 

An abbreviation of his account in the Pictorial field-book of the Jf'ar of 1S12; a good 
account, illustrated. 

Is also found in Harper s encyclopedia of United States history. lov. 

*Lucas, Charles Prestwood. Battle of Plattsburg. (In his Canadian 
warof 1812. Oxford, Clarendon Press, 1906. p. 197-212) 

One of the best and fullest Canadian accounts. 

*Macdonough, Rodney. Commodore Macdonough on Lake Cham- 
plain, 1814. (In his Life of Commodore Thomas Macdonough, 
United States Navy. Boston, Author, 1909. p. 29-30, 134-217) 
A very full account, based on Commodore Macdonough's own papers (in possession 

of the author), other primary sources and the most important secondary sources. 

Includes Commodore Macdonough's autobiographical account, and many extracts 

from letters. Appendixes B-L are copies of important source documents and include: 
Macdonough's report of battle, including reports to him from junior officers, together 

with Secretary of Navy's letter transmitting same to Congress, October 3, 1814 
Henley's letter and report on conduct of Brig Eagle 
Yeo's letter to the admiralty, September 24 

92 



Pring's official letter to Commodore Yeo, September 12 

Charges preferred against Prevost 

Lea to his brother, September 21 

Cochran and Colden letters and Macdonoiigh's answers, concerning range of shore 
batteries 

Congressional resolution expressive of gratitude to Macdonough and his men. 
October 20 

*Maclay, Edgar Stanton. Battle of Plattsburg. (In his History of 
the United States navy. N. Y. Appleton, 1893-98. 2v. i- 
603-15) 
A comprehensive and temperate account. 

McMaster, John Bach. Lake Champlain. (In his History of the 
people ot the United States from the Revolution to the Civil 
War. N. Y. Appleton, 191 1. 8v. 4:63-68) 
Good explanation of general situation and spirited account of engagement on the 

water. McMaster estmiates the fight in Plattsburg Bay as " the greatest naval battle 

of the war. ' 

*Mahan, Alfred Thayer. Lake Champlain. (In his Sea power in 

Its relation to the War of 1812. Boston, Little, looc 2v 

P- 355-82) 

One of the best accounts of this action; impartial, full, and by one of the foremost 
naval historians and critics who has used both English and American sources An 
abridgment of this account will be found in Scribner's magazine, Tan looc 
37:111-115- -- • ^ 3. 

Meade, Mrs Rebecca (Paulding). Early service on the lakes. (In 
her Life of Hiram Paulding. N. Y. Baker, 1910. p. 9-13) 

Tells of midshipman Paulding's ingenuity in the battle. 

Morris, Charles. Thomas Macdonough and the winning of Lake 
Charnplain. (In his Heroes of the navy in America. Phila. 
Lippincott, 1907. p. 226-38) 
Contains anecdotes from Macdonough's life and a popular account of the battle. 

New York State Plattsburg Centenary Commission, comp. The 
battle of Plattsburg: what historians say about it. Albany, 
Lyon, 1 91 4. 

Long extracts from accounts by Roosevelt, Palmer, McMaster, Lossing, Mahan 
and from official documents; also an outline of the plans for the centennial celebration. 

New York (State). Governor. Public papers of Daniel D. 
Tompkins, governor of New York. 1807-1817. Military, v i-^ 

N. Y. 1898-1902. .)' > 

Contains: 

Hastings, Hugh. Lake Champlain. 1:93-96 
Public papers. (See index) 

Niles' Weekly Register. Baltimore, v. 7-8. 

Frequent references to the battle, the events immediately preceding and following 
it. This is the best contemporary news periodical. 

*Palmer, Peter Sailly. Battle of Plattsburg. (In his History of 
Lake Champlain . . . 1609-1814. Plattsburg, Turtle, 1853. 

p. 185-223) 

Comprehensive and interesting account by a Plattsburg man, paying much attention 
to detail and local associations; a valuable addition to literature of the battle. 



93 



Perkins, Samuel. Plattsburg. (In his History of the political and 
military events of the late war between the United States and 
Great Britain. New Haven, 1825. p. 389-97) 
Lamed (Literature of American histor.v, 1745) says this is " one of the best histories 

of the War of 1812." The account of this battle is full. 

Redway, Jaques Wardlaw. Lieutenant Macdonough and the battle 
of Lake Champlain. (In his Making of the Empire State. N. Y. 
Silver, 1904. p. 174-7S) 

An account for young people. 

Robinson, Rowland E. Battle of Plattsburg. (In his Vermont: a 

study of independence. Boston, Houghton, 1899. p. 283-89) 
A good account of the battle and of Vermont's share in it. 
*Roosevelt, Theodore. Battle of Lake Champlain. (In Clowes, 
Sir William Laird & others. Royal navy; a history from the 
earliest times to the present. London, Low, 1 899-1903. 7v. 
6:130-42) 

Interesting, full and less disputatious than his account in Naval war of 1S12. 

* Champlain. (In his Naval war of 181 2. N. Y. Putnam, 

1898. p. 375-99) 

Too much space is given to confutation of James's estimate of the forces engaged; 
but the account of the battle is spirited and comprehensive. Bibliographical footnotes 
are given. 

Royce, Mrs Caroline Halstead (Barton). Battle of Plattsburg. 
(In her Bessboro: a history of Westport, Essex county, N. Y. 
Elizabethtown, N. Y. Author, 1904. p. 255-80) 

A particularly interesting account, full of local references. 

*Seawell, Molly Eliot. Battle of Lake Champlain. (In her Mid- 
shipman Paulding. N. Y. Appleton, 1897. p. 102-33) 

Good historical fiction. 

Soley, James Russell. Battle of Plattsburg. (In Winsor, Justin, 
ed. Narrative and critical history of America. Boston, Houghton, 

1889. 8v. 7:396-400) 

Brief description of the engagement. 
*Spears, John Randolph. Battle of Plattsburg. (In his History of 

our navy. N. Y. Scribner, 1897. 4V. 3:132-85) 

Comprehensive, though rather diffuse, account of the battle, its preliminaries and 
consequences; a popular, distinctly American, though not unfair, account. 

* On Lake Champlain. (In his History of the United States 

navy. N. Y. Scribner, 1908. p. 144-54) 

An abbreviation of his account in History of our navy. 

*Stevenson, Burton Egbert, comp. Plattsburg. (In his Poems ot 
American history. Boston, Houghton, 1908. p. 312-15) 

Short paragraph on the battle and the following poems: Battle of Lake Champlain ; 
Battle of Plattsburg Bay; Battle of Plattsburg. 

*Tomlinson, Everett Titsworth. Battle of Plattsburg. (In his 
Young minute-man of 1812. Boston, Houghton, 191 2. p. 312-34) 

Fiction based on good historical accounts (particularly Palmer's History of Lake 
Champlain). 

94 



Tuttle, (Mrs.) George Fuller, ed. The Battle of Plattsburgh. (In 

her Three Centuries in Champlain valley. Plattsburgh, N. Y., 

Saranac Chapter, D. A. R., 1909. p. 292-94.) 
*Tuttle, J. E. Battle of Lake Champlain; story of an eyewitness; 

retold by J. E. Tuttle. (In the Outlook. November 2, 1901. 

P- S73-77) 

Witness was a boy of twelve or thirteen on farm overlooking the bay, and visited 
the fleet after the battle. 

Wilbur, La Fayette. Battle of Plattsburg. (In his Early history of 
Vermont. Jericho, Vt. Wilbur, 1902. 4V. p. 256-83) 
Accounts of both battles, bringing out the action of the Vermont volunteers. 

Poems and Broad-sides 

Historical interest is the basis of inclusion. 

Battle of Plattsburg. Tune, Banks of the Dee, With Siege of Platts- 
burg, sung in the character of a black sailor, tune, Boyne-water. 
Broadside. Boston, Coverly, 1814. 

Also in Star song book, N. Y. n. d. p. 6, and Plattsburg Republican, January 28 
1815. . 
Begins: 

'Twas autumn, around me the leaves were descending and 
lonely the wood-pecker pecked on the tree 

Battle of Plattsburgh. (In Stevenson, B. E. Poems of American 
history. 1908. p. 314) 

See also Plattsburgh broad-side, Windsor, Vt. 1815. In New York State Library. 
Begins: 

Sir George Prevost with all his host 

March'd forth from Montreal, sir, 

Both he and they as blithe and gay 

As going to a ball, sir. 

Brother Jonathan's epistle to John Bull, 1814. (In Lossing, B. J. 
Story of the United States navy for boys. N. Y. Harper, 1881. 
p. 401) 
Begins: 

O Johnny Bull, my jo, John, I wonder what you mean? 

Are you on foreign conquests bent, or what ambitious scheme? 

Commodore Macdonough's victory (on Plattsburgh broadside, 
Windsor, Vt. 1815. In New York State Library) 
Begins: 

O freemen raise a joyous strain 

Aloft the eagle towers 
" We've met the enemy " again 

Again have made them " Ours." 
Broadside reproduced on page 90 

Freneau, Philip. Battle of Lake Champlain. (In Stevenson, B. E. 
Poems of American history. 1908. p. 312) 

Appears in full on pages 86-88 

Hawkins, Micajah. Siege of Plattsburg. 

Appears in full on page 39 
Can be found in: 

Lossing, B. J. Pictorial field-book of the War of 1812, p. 876, and on an interesting 
contemporary broadside in the New York State Library entitled " Back side Albany." 
Reproduced on page 43 

95 



Noble lads of Canada. (Broadside. Boston. Deming. n. d. In 
New York State Library) 

Begins: 

Come all you British heroes, I pray you lend an ear. 
Draw up your British forces, and then your volunteers; 
We're going to fight the Yankee boys, by water and by land, 
And we never will return until we conquer sword in hand. 
We're the noble lads of Canada, come to arms boys, come. 

Of considerable contemporary popularity and frequently reprinted. 

On board the Saratoga; written by a man who served on the 
Saratoga. 

Appears in full on pages 68-69 

Copied in Wilbur's Early history of Vermont, 3 :283 ; also in Records of the governor 
and council of the state of Vermont, 6:527. 

ScoUard, Clinton. The Battle of Plattsburg Bay. (In Stevenson, 
Poems of American history. 1908. p. 313) 

Appears in full on pages 52-53 

Wright, N. H. Song of Macdonough. (In Historical magazine, 12: 

245) 

Begins: 

The banner of freedom triumphantly waving 
Displayed in bright colors the stripe and the star, 
While the light-curling billows the warships were laving, 
And the foeman was seen on the water afar. 




Mantel in (leneral Macomb's 
headquarters, afterwards home 
of (jtiur;il Hcnjaniin Mooers 

96 



ACKNOWLEDGMENTS 

The drawings for the cover designs, and the emblematical tailpiece, 
were made by Royal B. Farnum of The University of the State 
of New York. 

The bibliography was prepared by Lucretia Vaile of the State 
Library School. 

The Macdonough electrotypes used on the cover page, and the 
maps on pages 38 and 70 are from Lossing's War of 1812, through 
courtesy of Harper and Brothers. 

The engravings for frontispiece, and plate on page 26 were loaned 
by J. B. Lyon Co. 

The ballad by Philip Freneau, and poem by Clinton Scollard, were 
used by permission of Houghton Mifflin Company, B. E. Stevenson, 
and Professor Scollard. 

To Mrs George F. Turtle of Plattsburg for plate of General Mooers, 
Hon. Howard D. Hadley for local photographs, the Macomb family 
of Philadelphia for photographs of sword and cup, and the Mac- 
millan Company and R. W. Neeser for bibliographical material 
are thanks due. 



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